Welcome to the Gemstone Safari |
Standard program Umba River.
The Journey starts in Dar-es-Salaam. This is an educational fieldtrip and introduction to the geology of Tanzania. We visit Umba Valley gemstone mines in Tanzania. Where you dig for Sapphires and Garnets during a few days and learn about the particularities of the local geology. A group of miners will assist us, on one of the mining concessions. All the stones you find are yours to keep. Followed by a roundtrip to Arusha, and Mundarara.
Jewels are made durig 3 days
You will be accompanied by Hubert Heldner jeweller and / or Céline Barman jeweller.
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Massai ladies with Céline
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Please make your reservation here
For further information please contact: |
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We provide:
- Privileged access to the mines.
- The stones you find are yours to keep. We negotiate and cover the necessary mining fees.
- Guides with a solid mineralogical and gemological background.
- Transportation within Tanzania including airport transfer, Hotel and breakfast during the entire Safari.
- A team of cooks will take care of our lunch at the mines,
- and we have 5 self-contained double rooms at our disposal.
- We organize the necessary paperwork for export of all cut and rough gems.
- A restriction is in place for 8 rough minerals in facet quality larger than 2 grams. They are : Tanzanite, Diamond, Spinel, Tsavorite, Chrysoberyl-Alexandrite, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.
- A professional gem cutting service. Samples to appreciate our cut quality are here.
- And last but not least, expect to travel on rough roads and some nights with only basic facilities.
You organize yourself:
- Sunscreen and sunhat (average temperatures 24-29°C / 75-84 F).
- One long sleeve shirt and mosquito repellent.
- Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended, see vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC
- Not included in the package price are 4 lunches and the dinners.
- You make your flight arrangements to Arusha.
- Export taxes for cut gemstones 3%, for minerals and rough stones 7%,
- plus a commission for preparation of the necessary papers, are not included. You pay the additional cost during the trip yourself.
 Under the shade |
 of a tree, we |
 had a lot of fun |
 creating jewelry. |
 Drilling |
 Ruby-zoisite |
 some pendents |
 Miners inspecting the jewels. |
 Pendant with silver wire |
 Exploration |
 Creation |
 Discoveries |
 Hard and dangerous |
 work underground. |
 The miners |
 on the job. |
 This is what |
 they look for, |
 ruby-zoisite |
 Mount Longido. |
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Yoin us for a joyful exploration of creative possibilities. Aquire new technical skills. Share your know-how, with one of the indigenous peoples of Tanzania. You will wear not only a lasting value, but also extraordinary memories.
The experienced team is welcoming you to a unique and exciting "educational adventure".
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© Copyright on all photos by Hubert Heldner