Welcome to the SEAMIC Gemstone Safari

Visit SEAMIC and join one of the field trips to the gemstone mines in Tanzania. Dig for gemstones during a few days and learn about the particularities of the local geology. Standard program A - Cut the stones you find yourself in the SEAMIC workshop. Two professional instructors will assist you and teach you all the necessary lapidary techniques, or you may just lay on the beach for a few days. Enjoy the sea breeze and an extraordinary coral reef at Mbudya Island Marine reserve. You may also visit the southern wildlife park Mikumi. This will take 2 days. Additional costs for Mikumi approximately US$ 200.-. Additional costs for Mbudya approximately US$ 25.- Optional program B - Visit Arusha and Merelani, see more gemtraders and the northern animal parks (Tarangire and Ngorongoro). Additional costs for program B approximately US$ 385.-. Optional program C - Visit Arusha, Merelani and the actif vulcano Oldonyo Lengai. Bring your own mountaineering equippment. A 5 hour night climb awaits you with a sunrise over the active caldera of the sacred mountain of the massai. Be aware that actif vulcanos are potentially dangerous. Additional costs for program C approximately US$ 385.-. Mining regions we will visit Minerals to be found Dates Price US$ Umba valley, Tanga select program A B or C Sapphire, Garnet, Tourmalin, Spinel, Zirkon January 5th - 22rd 2011 2166.- double room, price per person Umba valley, Tanga select program A B or C Sapphire, Garnet, Tourmalin, Spinel, Zirkon July 6th - 23rd 2011 2166.- double room, price per person Program: 1 day visit of SEAMIC headquarters and relax at the beach 2 days introduction to gemology, mineralogy and geology 1 day of traveling and visit of the Amboni Caves in Tanga 5 days of working in the Umba Valley mine 1 day traveling back to Dar-es-Salaam. Or program B and C to Arusha "Oldonyo Lengai" 2 days resting 5 days lapidary workshop and/or enjoy the beach / or go a few days to Mikumi National Wildlife park. 17 days total The package price covers the hotel with breakfast, lunch at SEAMIC, transfer to and from the hotel, traveling costs to and from the mines, 3 meals a day at the mines, including mining fees. Not included in the package price is supper and during the days off, the lunch. Entry fees and transport to the parks. You are responsible to make your flight arrangements to Dar-es-Salaam. Also the export taxes for rough gemstones, plus a comission for prepartion of the necessary papers, are not included. You pay the additinal cost during the trip yourself. SEAMIC provides: Privileged access to the mines. The stones you find are yours to keep. SEAMIC negotiates and covers the necessary mine fees. Guides with a solid mineralogical and gemological background. Transportation and lodging during the gemstone safari. A cook will take care of our meals at the mines. Experienced miners will assist you on the mining sites. SEAMIC will take care of all the necessary paperwork for export procedures. A 5% export tax is due for rough stones. Cut stones are tax-exempt, but need export documents. And last but not least the necessary mining equipment is put at your disposal. You bring work clothes and appropriate boots for working in the mines, 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. Expect to travel on rugged roads, some nights with only basic facilities. At the mine we have 6 double rooms with shower and toilet each. Quality hotels will be booked when available nearby. The experienced team of SEAMIC, trained geologists, gemologists and lapidary instructors look forward welcoming you to the exciting and unique Gemstone Safari of SEAMIC. You may set the gemstones; you found and cut yourself in Tanzania, at your local jewellery shop. You will wear not only a lasting value but also extraordinary memories, shared only by a few. Gemstone Safari January 2009, review by Amy Balthrop. Gemstone Safari January 2009, Port Moody Rock & Gem Club, by Lisa Elser. Gemstone Safari January 2009, review by Lisa Elser. (This link is temporarily not available.) Gemstone Safari January 2009, professional photos by Amy Balthrop. Gemstone Safari January 2009, review by Roger Dery. Have a look at the pictures of the second Gemstone Safari, July 2008. Have a look at the pictures of the first Gemstone Safari, September 2007. Rapaport Journal July 2007 by Diana Jarrett Gemologically Joined Gemstone Safari.

A one day test dig produced 6 sapphires. 2 square meters were worked. The saphire containing gravel is 40 cm below the surface. The layer is 15 cm thick. 5.1 gram was the biggest sapphire recovered. 5.1 gram red sapphire in transmitted light. In addition it is possible to buy rough or cut stones. Zoisite, Tanzanite Garnet Zoisite, Tanzanite Garnet, Tsavorite

Umba River	Mining	operation	Some Umba Sapphires
On the way visit Tanga	and the Amboni caves nearby.	The professionally equipped	Lapidary workshop at SEAMIC
The coral reef and the beach Mbudya Marine reserve	offer a peaceful resting place.	The hotel and an	inviting pool wait for you.

Please make your reservation here. For further information please contact: Ms. Lilian Moshi / Mr. Nakara Matemu     or SEAMIC - Kunduchi Beach Area P. O. Box 9573 Dar Es Salaam Tanzania Fax:     +255 22 2650 319 Phone: +255 22 2650 347 Phone: +255 744 255 032	Mr. Hubert Heldner Avenue des Alpes 70 P.O.Box 1261 CH-1820 Montreux Switzerland Phone: +41 21 963 89 77 Fax :    +41 21 963 89 78

For groups of 8 or more participants, safari dates and selection of mines at your request.

Für Gruppen ab 8 Teilnehmer, Safari Datum und Wahl der Region auf Anfrage.

Pour groupes à partir de 8 participants, selection des dates et de la region sur demande.

Mining regions	Minerals
Morogoro Winza	Sapphire, Ruby, Moonstone, Amethyst
Songea, Tunduru, Namtumbo	Sapphire, Chrysoberyll, Garnet, Aquamarine
Dodoma, Kigoma	Yellow cat's eye opal
Arusha	Tanzanite, Garnet, Tourmaline

Songea

Tunduru

Namtumbo

Morogoro

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Copyright on all photos by Hubert Heldner