Tsumeb
A northern mining town whose ore body produced minerals found nowhere else, displayed in its museum.
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Tsumeb sits on one of the most remarkable ore bodies ever mined: a pipe of copper, lead and zinc that has produced over two hundred and fifty mineral species, several dozen of them described here first and some found nowhere else on Earth. Collectors worldwide know the name. The town museum holds a mineral collection along with the artillery recovered from Lake Otjikoto and material on the region's history. The town itself is green and shaded, unusual in the north.
What you actually see
- The mineral collection - specimens from an ore body that produced over 250 species.
- The recovered artillery - German guns raised from Lake Otjikoto in the museum.
- The mine history - displays on a century of working the pipe.
- The tree-lined town - jacarandas and flamboyants through the streets.
When to go
March to October is the cooler window. The museum keeps weekday hours with a midday break. Summer brings heat and afternoon storms.
Honest expectations
The mine is closed to visitors and the workings cannot be seen. The museum is small and its hours are limited. The town is otherwise a functional northern centre.
Nearby
Lake Otjikoto is northwest, and Etosha is west.
What to pack for Tsumeb
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.