Experience Lüderitz: Unique Activities and Tours
Nestled along one of Africa’s most rugged and windswept shorelines, the town of Lüderitz was officially founded in 1883 and developed around a natural harbour in southern Namibia. While its European history dates back to 1487, when Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias first set eyes on the bay, Lüderitz remained isolated for centuries. The town began its early life as a fishing hub, trading post, and central base for guano collection on nearby islands. Everything changed with the discovery of diamonds, sparking rapid growth and prosperity. Today, tourism plays a vital role in the town’s economy, and visitors can admire many beautifully preserved German colonial buildings that reflect its fascinating past.
A Brief History of Lüderitz:
Lüderitzbucht (named in 1886) was first sighted in 1487 by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Diaz, who, on his return voyage from the Cape of Good Hope, erected a stone cross (Padrão) at Diaz Point and named the bay Angra Pequena (“Little Bay”). For centuries, the treacherous coastline deterred further landings, until the British arrived in 1842, exploiting rich guano deposits on offshore islands like Halifax Island, which they dubbed “white gold.” When the deposits were exhausted a few years later, the bay was once again abandoned.
In 1883, German merchant Adolf Lüderitz acquired land from the Nama people under questionable terms, establishing a trading post that later became a strategic port for German South West Africa. The bay was renamed Lüderitzbucht in his honour in 1886. With the onset of the Nama/Herero uprisings in 1905, German military presence and civil infrastructure expanded. By 1907, peace had returned, and Lüderitz boasted upgraded port facilities and a railway connection to Keetmanshoop, establishing its position as an administrative district.
The town’s true boom began in 1908, when a railway worker discovered diamonds near Kolmanskop, just east of Lüderitz. This discovery sparked a diamond rush that transformed the settlement into a hub of wealth and colonial opulence—reflected in its grand German-style architecture, much of which still stands today. Lüderitz continued to develop under South African administration after World War I, though its prominence declined as diamond operations shifted further south.
Today, Lüderitz offers a unique blend of windswept desert beauty, colonial charm, and a complex historical legacy that continues to intrigue travellers.
Kolmanskop Ghost Town
In 1909, diamonds are first discovered at Kolmanskop (Coleman’s Hill) which sparked development on a grand scale and the diamond rush started. Kolmanskuppe became one of the richest villages in the world with luxurious double-storey mansions, a hospital, large entertainment hall, ice-cream parlour, butchery, outdoor pool and the first tram in Africa was constructed. During WW1 in 1915, the German colony is then administered by South Africa. In 1920 diamond deposits are exhausted and both Lüderitzbucht and Kolmanskuppe lose their prominence.
Guided Komanskop tours are available daily (except Sundays), offering insight into its fascinating rise and fall. A permit is needed to enter, and early morning visits are ideal for photography. Read more about Kolmanskop Ghost Town and it’s fascinating history.
Halifax Island & Penguin Cruises
A Lüderitz boat cruise to Halifax Island is a highlight of a catamaran tour offered by local operators. Zeepaard Boat Tours and Penguin Catamaran Tours offer tours to see the African Penguins in their natural habitat. Halifax Island is sanctuary to one of the largest colonies of African penguins in Namibia. During your cruise to the protected island, you will also see Heaviside Dolphins, Cape Fur Seals, seabirds as well as Southern Right and Humpback Whales in season.
While visitors can’t step onto the island itself, close-up views of the penguins in their natural habitat make the trip unforgettable. Cruises depart daily, weather permitting, and are ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
Sperrgebiet National Park
Located just south of Lüderitz, the Sperrgebiet—German for “prohibited area”—is a former diamond mining zone that has been transformed into a protected national park rich in natural and historical significance. The Park has since been renamed to Tsau //Khaeb National Park. Within this restricted area lie two of the region’s most fascinating attractions: the striking Bogenfels Rock Arch, a 55-metre-high natural limestone formation at the Atlantic’s edge, and Pomona, an abandoned mining town frozen in time with sand-filled buildings and rusting relics. Another interesting attraction in the Sperrgebiet is the Roter Kamm impact crater.
Access to the Sperrgebiet is tightly controlled, and visitors must book guided tours in advance as permits are required. Sperrgebiet day trips or longer overnight tours can be organised by Aus Desert Tours who are based in Aus. The park’s isolation has helped preserve its extraordinary ecological value, and it is now recognised as one of the world’s top 25 biodiversity hotspots, home to rare desert-adapted plant species and unique landscapes.
Whether you’re drawn by its haunting mining history or its raw natural beauty, the Sperrgebiet offers an unforgettable off-the-grid adventure just beyond Lüderitz.
Wild Horses of Garub: Namibia’s Desert Survivors
Just outside the tiny outpost of Aus, along the road to Lüderitz, travellers can encounter one of Namibia’s most unexpected wildlife sightings: the Wild Horses of the Namib. These hardy, free-roaming horses have adapted to life in the harsh desert environment of Garub for over 100 years, with their origins still debated among historians. Today, visitors can often spot them at the Garub waterhole, where a purpose-built viewing hide offers excellent photographic opportunities without disturbing the animals. Whether you’re interested in wildlife, history, or simply looking for a unique stop along the B4 highway, the wild horses offer a captivating glimpse into nature’s resilience in the heart of the Namib Desert.
Lüderitz Speed Challenge: A World-Class Windsurfing & Kitesurfing Event
Every year, between October and November, Lüderitz transforms from a quiet coastal town into the epicentre of global windsurfing and kitesurfing during the Lüderitz Speed Challenge—also known as Speed Week. Recognised as one of the fastest speed sailing events on the planet, this adrenaline-fueled competition attracts elite athletes from across the world who attempt to break world records by racing down a custom-built, man-made canal in the fierce desert winds. With wind speeds regularly exceeding 50 knots and a uniquely engineered course, Lüderitz offers ideal conditions for speed sailing—leading to multiple international records being set here since the event’s inception in 2007.
Spectators can enjoy thrilling action against the dramatic backdrop of the Namib Desert and Atlantic Ocean, making it a must-see for adventure travellers, photographers, and sports enthusiasts. If you’re planning a trip during this period, be sure to book accommodation well in advance and check the official event schedule.
Read more about the Lüderitz Speed Challenge.
Namibia Maritime Museum – Lüderitz’s New Cultural Landmark
In September 2024, Namibia welcomed its very first maritime museum—now the largest of its kind in Africa—housed within the beautifully restored Lüderitz Old Power Station, a historic 1911 German-era building. The museum spans approximately 2,500 m² over five floors (“decks”), showcasing the nation’s deep maritime roots and its enduring relationship with the ocean.
The museum’s engaging exhibits include:
- A fully restored Namibian fisheries research vessel
- Intricate ship models, nautical instruments, sea creature fossils and skeletons (like sharks and rays)
- Displays dedicated to fishing, marine trade, offshore oil, gas, and seabed diamond extraction
- A rich collection of maritime art, historical coins, maps, and a comprehensive maritime library.
Officially inaugurated by President Nangolo Mbumba, the museum represents a cornerstone of the Lüderitz Waterfront Development project—designed not only as a tourist attraction, but also as an educational and research hub in partnership with schools and marine institutions
Why it matters:
Visitors to Lüderitz can now explore Namibia’s oceanic legacy—from 15th-century Portuguese exploration and marine biodiversity to contemporary maritime industries. Located at the harbour’s heart and open with extended hours, it’s an accessible and enriching stop alongside iconic sites like Kolmanskop, the wild horses, and Speed Week.
