NamibWeb.com - The online guide to Namibia: Luderitz town and resort information

Information on small coastal town, accommodation, tours and activities in and around Luderitz.

Name. The coastal town named after its founder, German merchant Adolf Luderitz, is located 815 kilometres from Windhoek. The town was named Angra das Voltas in 1487 by Bartolomeu Diaz, renamed to Golfo de Sao Cristovao next year also by him and later changed to Angra Pequena. Bartolomeu Diaz erected a stone cross, similar to one at Cape Cross on 25 July 1488. The one you can see now at Diaz Point was made of dolerite and erected five centuries later in 1988 during Diaz Festival.
kolmanskop.JPG (8995 bytes)

Buildings.
Railway station. Built in 1914 by the building division of Metje & Ziegler and an interesting example of combination of various architectural styles. The Government architect was responsible for the design of the building.
Goerke House. The one of the most beautiful buildings in town, Goerke House is located on Diamond Hill and was built in 1909. Named after Hans Goerke, shareholder and manager of three diamond companies.
Deutsche Afrika Bank. This private bank was established in 1905 with its headquarters in Hamburg. The building itself was constructed in 1907.
Troost House. Built in typical colonial style in 1909 by Hermann Metje for Edmund Troost.
Post Office. Built in 1907 and designed by Rukwied, the railway commissioner of southern railway area.

Kreplin House. The house belonged to Emil Kreplin, the first major of Luderitz, was built in 1909.
Woermann House. Designed by Friedrich Hoft the building was constructed in 1906 as an office for the Woermann Line.
Lutheran church (Felsenkirche). Built in 1912 with Albert Bause responsible for design and construction. The costs amounted to 46 000 German marks and were donated from Germany. One of the stained glass windows was donated by Kaiser Wilhelm.
Sights.
Redford Bay. Named after first white settler and trader David Redford.
Diaz Point. The place where Bartolomeu Diaz erected padrao in 1488. The wooden bridge to Diaz Point was built in 1911 to access fog horn originally located there.
Lighthouse. Built in 1910. kolmanshouse.JPG (12558 bytes)

Kolmanskop. The ghost town, abandoned on the middle of 50's, is located 10 kilometres outside of Luderitz off the main road to Aus. Guided tours are conducted daily in the mornings and permits obtainable from Luderitz Tours and Safaris. The town was named after a driver Coleman who frequently stopped here.
First diamond was found here in 1908 by worker Zaharia Levala and became a centre of diamond industry. By the middle of fifties operations were moved to Oranjemund and last inhabitants abandoned Kolmanskop in 1956.
Guided tour: Monday-Saturday 9.30 am, Sunday 10.00 am.
What to do in Luderitz.
Sedina boat tours. Boat tours on ''Sedina'' boat to Halifax island with a possibility to see dolphins and jack ass penguins. Duration of the tour is approximately 2 hours. Departure: daily in the morning.
Goerke House excursions. Open: Monday-Friday 14.00-15.00, Saturday and Sunday 16.00-17.00.
Luderitz Museum. Located on Diaz street. Monday-Friday 8.30-11.00, 16.30-18.00 (15.30-17.00 in the winter), Saturday 9.00-11.00
Felsenkirche. Located on the corner of Hohe and Kirch street. Open: Monday-Saturday 18.00 (in the winter), 17.00 (in the summer).
Karakul carpet factory. Located on Bismarck Street.

Luderitz Shark Island Resort
Usage and entrance fees per day (payable on arrival only):

Day visitors are only allowed from 8.00 to 17.00. Visitors should report to the office in Schinz Street first for checking in and out. Office hours from 8h00 to 17h00, seven days a week.

Luderitz Shark Island Resort
Accommodation per night 2008, valid from 01.11.2007:

Unit type	Number of units	Daily rates per person	Single rate	Note
Lighthouse (4 beds)	1	N$ 449	N$ 699	Maximum 4 adults
Island chalets (2 beds)	3	N$ 299	N$ 399	Maximum 2 adults
Camping	20	N$ 49 per site plus N$ 49 per person	-	Maximum 8 persons per site
Children under the age of 6 stay free of change, 6-12 years old pay 50%. Provision for children will be made upon arrival; however the booking must be made in advance

Elena Travel Services & Car Hire CC
P.O. Box 3127 Windhoek, Namibia
Fax: +264 61 244558
E-mail: info@namibweb.com

Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.

Adults foreign N$ 40	Passenger vehicle (up to 10 seats) N$ 10
Adults SADC N$ 30	Bus (11-25 seats) N$ 40
Adults Namibian residents N$ 10	Bus (26-50 seats) N$ 300
Children (6-16) no charge	Bus (51 and more seats) N$ 500