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| Diaz Point Lighthouse Namibia 2026 |
We are heading out on a day trip to the historic coastal town of Lüderitz, passing once again the haunting ghost town of Kolmanskop, where drifting desert sand continues its slow and relentless work of reclaiming the abandoned diamond-mining settlement. We have visited Kolmanskop before in 2022, so if you are interested in our previous experience and pictures, you can read about it in an earlier blog post (link).
Our first destination today is Diaz Point, on the rugged peninsula just outside Lüderitz.
This is a place with a remarkable history. On 25 July 1488, the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias landed here during his voyage along the west coast of Africa and erected a padrão – a stone or wooden cross-like monument used by Portuguese explorers to mark their discoveries and claim the territory for Portugal. The original monument has long since disappeared, and the cross now standing at Diaz Point is a replica. Fragments of the original Diaz Cross were, however, discovered in the area in the 1950s.
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| 110 km nearly straight asphalt road Near Lüderitz just before sanddunes Namibia 2026 |
The drive from Klein Aus Vista towards Lüderitz is an experience in itself. For almost 110 kilometres, the asphalt road runs in an almost perfectly straight line, with barely a bend to break the monotony. Our entertainment is therefore provided by the endless desert views and the occasional abandoned railway station building alongside the tracks. The railway is no longer in operation, and some of the old buildings are now slowly disappearing beneath the sand – noticeably more so than when we were here four years ago.
About 20 kilometres before Lüderitz, the scenery suddenly becomes more dynamic. Sand is blowing across the road, and a single heroic bulldozer is engaged in what looks very much like an eternal battle against the desert. It is difficult to imagine that anyone could ever permanently win that particular contest.
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| Single heroic bulldozer Near Lüderitz batteling sanddunes |
As we approach Lüderitz, we turn left onto the D701 towards the peninsula opposite the town. Almost immediately we begin seeing the first flamingos in the shallow lagoons.
The landscape is extraordinarily barren and rugged. In fact, it has an almost lunar appearance – and makes the supposedly lunar landscape around Sorthat on my native island of Bornholm look rather bonsai-like in comparison.
Before reaching the lighthouse and Diaz Point, we stop at Guano Bay, where we have a fine view towards Halifax Island. The bay and the surrounding coastline are part of an internationally important marine and bird area. The extremely productive waters off Lüderitz are influenced by the Benguela upwelling system, supporting large numbers of seabirds, while Halifax Island itself is an important breeding site.
There are beautiful seashells scattered everywhere across the otherwise harsh landscape, and more flamingos can be seen in the distance. It is a strange but beautiful combination: almost complete absence of vegetation, brilliant blue water, white shells and pink flamingos.
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| Guano Bay, near Diaz Point Namibia 2026 |
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| Guano Bay, flamingos Namibia 2026 |
Diaz Point
When we finally arrive at Diaz Point, we are pleasantly surprised. Considering how exposed and inhospitable the landscape is, the area is remarkably tidy and well maintained.
There is even a tiny café, Skip Skop, with extremely friendly service. Since we are planning a proper lunch later, we settle for some chips – served with garlic and tomato ketchup. An unusual but excellent combination! The coffee is surprisingly good too.
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| Café Skip Skop near Diaz Point Namibia 2026 |
From the café it is only another 200 metres to the parking area beside the Diaz Cross. From here we walk across the rocks towards the steps leading up to the viewpoint and the replica cross.
The old wooden footbridge that once provided access has completely collapsed, so the approach is now somewhat more rugged. But perhaps that actually suits the place.
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| Way to Diaz Cross Namibia 2026 |
Standing beside the cross, with the waves of the cold Atlantic crashing against the rocks below, it is easy to appreciate why this exposed headland must have made such an impression on the Portuguese explorers more than five centuries ago.
The combination of history, ocean and extreme desert landscape makes Diaz Point one of those places that is difficult to forget.
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| Information board Diaz Point Namibia 2026 |
Lunch in Lüderitz
The drive back into Lüderitz is easy, and we stop for lunch at Essenzeit, overlooking the harbour and the old wooden bridge.
We order a wonderful seafood platter, with all sorts of fresh produce from the ocean. The price is remarkably reasonable, and sitting here looking out over the harbour while eating fresh seafood feels exactly right. In a fishing town like Lüderitz, you also have the comforting feeling that the ingredients have not travelled particularly far to reach your plate.
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| Bloggers seafood platter Essenzeit, Lüderitz Namibia 2026 |
The great Saturday shopping disaster
There is, however, another important reason for today's trip to Lüderitz.
We plan to stock up at the SPAR supermarket for the next three nights, which we will spend completely on our own at a farm in the NamibRand Nature Reserve in the Namib Desert. We need enough food and drinks to be self-sufficient.
Unfortunately, the author of this blog had overlooked one rather important detail:
On Saturdays, all the shops close at 14:00 and don't reopen until Monday morning, oops!
Suddenly, our carefully planned shopping expedition looks considerably less clever.
Good advice is expensive – and we are now in need of some.
Our solution is a combination of improvisation and mild desperation. We order some extra takeaway from Essenzeit – lamb chops curry – and buy tomatos and onions at street stall, soft drinks at the local petrol station. Everything goes straight into the car fridge.
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| Blogger at street stall in Lüderitz, Namibia 2026 |
Back at Klein Aus Vista, we then empty the little local shop of whatever useful supplies remain. Finally, we raid the trust box in our cottage for additional provisions.
Somehow, against all odds, we end up reasonably well equipped for three nights in the Namib Desert.
It may not have been the shopping strategy we originally had in mind, but sometimes the best travel stories start with a mistake.
And tomorrow we leave the last shops behind and head deep into the NamibRand.
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