Non-Photographic African Safari Question: I have read excellent information and advice about camera gear for African Safaris. Almost every posts mentions dust. I will be going to...

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I have read excellent information and advice about camera gear for African Safaris. Almost every posts mentions dust. I will be going to Tanzania in April 2019 and I am curious about wearing contact lenses while out shooting. Has anyone had experience wearing their contacts in the field or do most of you switch to wearing eye glasses. I much prefer my contacts, but don't want to be fighting dust particles in my eyes all day long.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Take both - need for back up anyway and just a few ounces of weight - then circumstances & conditions will tell YOU quickly.

Joe Blow

If you wear contacts, you must be familiar with dry eyes. I recommend taking extra eye drops along with plenty of cleaning solution.

Generally your eyes produce enough tears to wash away dust.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

JFCoupe wrote:

I have read excellent information and advice about camera gear for African Safaris. Almost every posts mentions dust. I will be going to Tanzania in April 2019 and I am curious about wearing contact lenses while out shooting. Has anyone had experience wearing their contacts in the field or do most of you switch to wearing eye glasses. I much prefer my contacts, but don't want to be fighting dust particles in my eyes all day long.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

A friend recommended an inexpensive pair of clear googles. You can get them for about $4.None of us wear contacts.

We didn’t need them in Tanzania or Botswana on our trip but I was happy to have them.

You might also want to think about something to cover your camera. But in a pinch your pillow case, towell, or jacket could do. Again, not an issue on my trip.

PS: We went in April. A light jacket is nice in the morning.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I went to South Africa in September - don't wear contacts but have dry eyes - took extra eye drops but really only needed them a few times.

DJD Loc: Seal Beach, CA

I was in Tanzania last year. Dust is ever present. Some areas worse than others. The Serengeti comes to mind. Once off the main roads and on to dirt roads, the dust really increases. Often a vehicle coming from the opposite direction will leave a 1/4 mile trail of dust as they pass. I kept my camera/lens in a dry bag during transition and took it out only to take pics. Also a rain sleeve would help keeping dust off your camera. Have fun. Tanzania is very beautiful. I wear glasses and I don't recall having any issues with dust in eyes.

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

Hi,
I agree with the advice to take a pair glasses as backup. Two pairs, actually: clear and sun glasses. Having said that, I wore gas permeable lenses for over 30 years. During that time I lived in Bullhead City, AZ for about 4 years. Lots of sand storms, but I kept wearing them. Also, wore them swimming, scuba diving, off road motor cycling & dune buggying, etc. So I'd say: "Go for it!" But be sure you have Plan B ready. Best if luck, Don

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Thanks for all the good input. This will be a once in a lifetime trip and I want to make the best of it.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Glasses will not protect from dust. It will just go in the sides, bottoms, and tops openings. A set of goggles with snug cups might work, but then you get constrained side vision.

Doc T

Answers about eye protection are all viable but think about surgical masks for nose and mouth.
Been to Tanzania and Kenya several times and nose and mouth protection more important.
You will be eating dust for days. Can get them usually from local pharmacy. Buy a box (not that
expensive), your trip mates will appreciate them and you won't make enemies. Doc T

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

I worked in West Africa for twenty plus years.
Dust is a big issue there, particularly during the Harmattan season, when it is blown down from the Sahara.
I used contact lenses during the latter few years that I was there. I had the daily contacts, that you discard at night. Never had a problem, although I did have a pair of specs, just in case I did.