Kolmanskop Drift Houses

The write-up

German colonial houses abandoned in the 1950s when the diamonds ran out, sitting in the Sperrgebiet where the dunes have been walking through the doors ever since. Some rooms are waist-deep in sand. The light through the broken windows in the first hour after sunrise is the entire reason to be there, which is why the photography permit exists and why it costs more than the standard one. Worth it.

Best window

Sunrise. The standard permit doesn't start early enough.

Watch out

It sits inside a restricted diamond area — you cannot freelance this one. Permit or don't go.

Access

Someone owns it and will say yes if you ask. Ask.