Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tours
Until the park loosens its tight restrictions on public access, it's in your own best interest
to have a healthy respect for the boundaries. Armed guards in the Sperrgebiet have a lot of
time on their hands - don't make their day. Selected sights in the national park are open to
visitors on private tours.
Elizabeth Bay
In 1986 CDM again began prospecting in the northern Sperrgebiet, and found bountiful
diamond deposits around Elizabeth Bay, 30km south of Kolmanskop. The estimated 2.5
million carats weren't expected to last more than 10 years, but CDM installed a full-scale
operation and rather than duplicate its Lüderitz facilities here, the company provided its
workers with daily transport from the town. Half-day tours to Elizabeth Bay, which must
be booked through tour operators in Lüderitz, also take in Kolmanskop and the Atlas Bay
Cape fur seal colony.
SCENIC TOUR
Bogenfels Sea Arch
One-third of the way down the Forbidden Coast between Lüderitz and Oranjemund is the
55m natural sea arch known as Bogenfels (Bow Rock). Bogenfels has only been opened
to private tours for a few years, which also take in the mining ghost town of Pomona, the
Maerchental Valley, the Bogenfels ghost town and a large cave near the arch itself. You
must book this trip in Lüderitz.
Coastway Tours Lüderitz (
Click here
)
conducts daily sightseeing tours from Lüderitz
out to Bogenfels (from N$1250 per person depending on numbers on tour), via Pomona.
SCENIC TOUR
Sleeping
There are no tourist lodges within the national park, and bush camping is strictly forbid-
den. While it is likely that some form of accommodation will be constructed in the years
to come, in the meantime your best option is to base yourself in Lüderitz.
Getting There & Away
Do not attempt to access the Sperrgebiet in a private vehicle as you will be inviting a
whole mess of trouble. The only exception to this statement is Kolmanskop, which can be
accessed if you have the necessary permits.
