Elizabeth Bay Namibia 🇳🇦 Ghost Town
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- čas přidán 26. 09. 2021
- Elizabeth Bay, often overshadowed by better known Kolmanskop, was operational for less than 20 years, but it boasted an immense wealth of diamonds. As a result, in the 1920's German miners flooded the town, building a miniature Germany, in the Namibian desert.
An entertainment hall and casino overlooking the ocean was the centrepiece, and there was also a well equipped clinic. Although more serious injuries or illnesses were taken care of at the hospital in Kolmanskop.
The other major development was a processing plant with monstrous machinery for desalinating ocean water and crushing the diamond bearing gravel. Elizabeth Bay is more of an abandoned industrial vibe, with massive rusting machinery, deep tunnels and huge concrete pylons that carried the trains bringing the gravel for processing.
Rows of housing for German miners with electricity and running water, and large, overcrowded buildings for local workers stand decaying in the harsh desert environment.
While the German workers enjoyed proper housing, the local Namibian miners were subjected to almost slave-like conditions. The buildings where they slept contained cot-size beds separated by a small wall divider. In some, rows were stacked on top of each other forcing more men into the desolate, cramped conditions. The doors to these “houses” were locked at night and their windows were small and high off the ground to discourage any workers from escaping overnight. The entire "compound" was fenced off.
After a quick flash of success, the town was all but deserted by 1935 and was completely closed in 1948. In 1991, a new Elizabeth Bay mine was opened and is still in operation today. The remains of the original Elizabeth Bay still stand, weather-torn and beaten but still impressive as they reflect a time when the town was at its peak.
Being a working diamond mine, it's not possible to self drive, it's necessary to go with an accredited tour operator who will arrange the necessary permits. We went with Namib Offroad Excursions. Heinz is a great guy with an in depth knowledge of the local area, his website: noextours.weebly.com/
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I’m Chris Corbet, an overlanding, adventure & road trip fanatic and video creator with a passion for nature & wildlife conservation. My motto is "live your adventure". After many years in the digital marketing space, I opted out of corporate life and embraced an overland road tripping and adventure lifestyle instead.
I'm currently embarked on a 2 year long mission, Project #60460, to visit 60 of the most unique places in southern and east Africa to mark my 60th year on this, the only planet that we have. The journey is in support of 3 of Africa's big cats: the Lion, Leopard & Cheetah. I'll be sharing the adventure with weekly videos and daily updates in stories, the community tab and shorts.
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That is how Kolmanskop looked when I visited in '93.
I was working on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project Phase 1 from '91 to '95.
I travelled far and wide in southern Africa in an Opel Kadett with a basic camping set up of a pup tent, bedding, utensils and a no.1 potje.
These were some of the happiest days of my life and I fell in love with SA and when I left it broke my heart.
I discovered your channel a couple of days ago and I'm really enjoying it as it's bringing back many happy and wonderful memories.
Thanks so much.
Thank you so much Paul, and thanks for sharing your memories of South Africa and our beautiful neighbour Namibia.
Beautiful, Namibia
Thanks, I enjoyed the video
Thank you for the comment Jors, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful history, thanks for that
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Just found out about this place yesterday....
It's well worth a visit if the opportunity arises.
This creeps me out more than Kolmanskop. Not sure why. I am loving it. I may be wrong, but werent there some old railway wagons there?
It's got a more abandoned industrial feel than Kolmanskop, and that definitely adds to the somewhat creepy vibe.
Hi, do you have any contact for the tour operator ? thanks in advance
I don’t have the details handy but there is a link to their website in the video description.
👍Epic. Meneer CHRIS ITS A MUST THAT U PASS AT SANDWICH HARBOUR NEXT TIME. 50KM WEST OF WALVIS BAY ALONG THE SEA IN THE NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK. ITS PROBABLY THE MOST SURREAL PLACE ON EARTH. ITS AS IF GOD IS LIVING THERE. IT A HAUNTING BEAUTY. ITS A MUST MUST MUST.
Thank you for that recommendation, I have added it to the list of places to visit when we do a trip to northern Namibia in the next couple of months.