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Home>Namibia>What to see | 
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| Namibia: What to see | |||
| Luderitz | |||
>see photographs Overview This old laid back town is situated on the naked granite rock coast of the Namib Desert. Full of character one will find the atmosphere truly German and the locals are very friendly and helpful people. The people here rely mainly on fishing and tourism for their existence. This was the first German settlement in what was to become German South West Africa, and charming colourful buildings have been maintained German colonial style. The weather conditions are harsh since the village is exposed to the Atlantic winds as well as sea fogs and sand storms, and the cold Benguela Current make the sea too cold to be a "beach holiday" destination. Luderitz, nonetheless, has a lot to offer to visitors. Attractions The "Felsenkirche" is a Lutheran Evangelical Church and is situated on Diamond Mountain overlooking the town. The Luderitz Museum in Diaz Street presents the history of the town, the local indigenous people, and the diamond mines. Other buildings are Goerkehaus, a uniquely charactered house on the slopes of Diamond Mountain (built 1909), the old Post Office, (1908), old Station Building (1914), and Turnhalle (1912). The harbour is busy with fishing boats coming and going, and the coastline around Luderitz is home to Jackass Penguins and a Cape Fur seal colony. The Luderitz Peninsula provides a spectacular view of the town and harbour, and has many bays and secluded beaches, and a lagoon where flamingos and other birds can be seen. There is even a Floating Diamond Museum, an old diamond boat and conducted trips show you exhibitions of a diamond diving operation, oyster fishing and the fishing industry. A monument of Adolf Luderitz, the German founder of this town, can be found on Shark Island, from where one also has an excellent view of the town. Diaz Point is south of Luderitz along the coast and is where a stone cross can be found commemorating Bartholomew Diaz's discovery of the area in 1487. When to go Open all the year round and cool in summer due to the cooling effects of the Benguela current and coastal winds. Accommodation An excellent options in Luderitz for a very hospitable stay is the Sea View Hotel. How to get there By road Luderitz is very much out on a limb and not on the way to anywhere. To make the drive worthwhile one should visit for a minimum of two nights. By air There are regular flights from Oranjemund, Swakopmund and Windhoek, and one flight per week from Keetmanshoop. |
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