Contact Lenses on Kilimanjaro: Practical Preparation | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Are contact lenses automatically unsuitable for Kilimanjaro?
No, but suitability is individual. Discuss the conditions and your eye health with an eye-care professional before travelling.
Can I use bottled water to rinse my lenses?
No. Use the care products recommended for your lenses, not water.
Should I bring glasses if I normally wear contacts all day?
Yes. Carry a usable backup in your daypack.
Can I use solution after it has frozen?
Check the manufacturer’s guidance. Don’t assume freezing and thawing leaves a product suitable for use.
Prepare for wearing contact lenses on Kilimanjaro with advice on hygiene, backup glasses, dry conditions and storing lens-care supplies.
Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Contact Lenses on Kilimanjaro: Practical Preparation | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Preparation & Safety
Contact Lenses on Kilimanjaro: What Should You
The mountain brings dust, wind, cold and basic washing facilities. Your usual bathroom routine won’t be available, so preparation matters.
Discuss your plans with your optician or eye-care professional before travelling, particularly if you already experience dry or uncomfortable eyes.
Plan your lens routine before departure
Explain that you’ll be spending several days trekking and sleeping in mountain accommodation.
Ask about:
Whether your current lenses suit the trip.
Your replacement and wearing schedule.
Suitable drops if dryness is a concern.
How to clean and store reusable lenses.
Storage temperatures for your particular products.
What to do if your eyes become uncomfortable.
Don’t switch to an unfamiliar lens type immediately before the trek without professional advice and time to test it.
Bring backup glasses
Carry glasses that provide usable vision without your contacts.
Keep them protected and accessible in your daypack , rather than in the duffel travelling separately with the porters. If a lens becomes uncomfortable during the day, you need a practical alternative.
Check that your sun-protection arrangement works with your glasses too. Our sunglasses guide explains what to look for.
Clean, dry hands come first
Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth before handling lenses.
Plan this with the team at camp. A quick wipe on your trousers is not a substitute!
Choose a sheltered place to handle lenses and keep supplies organised. Wind, dust and a missing lens make an inconvenient combination.
Never use drinking water as lens solution
Do not rinse or store contact lenses in stream water, bottled water or the drinking water prepared by the crew.
Water that is suitable to drink is not necessarily safe for contact-lens care. Use the products recommended for your lenses and follow their instructions.
For reusable lenses, use fresh solution as directed—don’t top up old solution in the case.
What about cold conditions?
Check the manufacturer’s storage limits for your solution, lenses and any drops. Ask your pharmacist or eye-care professional how to protect them during a cold-weather trek.
Keep supplies within their specified conditions and discuss practical storage with your guide. Our sleeping on Kilimanjaro article explains how cold nights and camp routines can affect your kit.
Do not assume a product remains usable after freezing, or try to heat it over a stove or flame. If it has been stored outside its recommended range, seek product-specific advice.
Can wind and dry air make lenses uncomfortable?
Yes. Wind and low humidity can contribute to dry-eye symptoms, and some people find contact lenses less comfortable in these conditions.
Ask your eye-care professional whether suitable contact-lens-compatible drops would help. Not every eye drop is intended for use while wearing lenses.
Bring sunglasses with appropriate UV protection and coverage . Contact lenses do not replace external eye protection.
Remember to remove lenses before sleeping
Follow your prescribed wearing schedule and professional instructions.
Do not assume sleeping in your lenses is safe because you’re tired or because removing them feels inconvenient. Discuss any special circumstances with your eye-care professional before travel.
Keep your glasses and headlamp easy to find for nighttime toilet visits.
What if my eyes become painful or red?
Remove your lenses and tell your guide if you develop eye discomfort, redness, unusual light sensitivity or blurred vision.
Seek prompt eye-care advice, particularly for pain or changes in vision. Don’t put lenses back in and push through worsening symptoms.
Your guide can help coordinate assistance, but cannot diagnose an eye problem.
Your contact-lens packing checklist
Depending on your prescribed routine, prepare:
Sufficient lenses and appropriate spares.
Backup glasses and a protective case.
Recommended lens-care solution and case, if needed.
Suitable drops, if advised.
Soap and a clean hand-drying cloth.
A small mirror.
UV-protective sunglasses.
A secure container for used lenses and other waste.
Pack according to your actual routine, and carry out all used lenses and packaging for appropriate disposal. See our full Kilimanjaro packing list for the wider checklist.
Questions about camp facilities? Contact our Moshi team before your climb so you can plan your lens-care routine.
Frequently asked questions
This article provides general preparation information and does not replace advice from your eye-care professional.
References
CDC: Preventing Eye Infections When Wearing Contacts . The CDC advises washing and drying hands before handling contact lenses, using fresh solution rather than topping up or reusing solution, and never rinsing or storing lenses in water.
American Academy of Ophthalmology: How to Take Care of Contact Lenses . The AAO recommends following the prescribed wearing schedule, not sleeping in lenses unless advised, and seeking prompt care for pain, redness or changes in vision.
Keep reading & plan your climb
Sunglasses for Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro packing list
Kilimanjaro daypack essentials
Sleeping on Kilimanjaro
Contact our Moshi team