Tania

I'm going to be in Tanzania for 21 days in August (1st half on safari in the northeast, and the 2nd half in Zanzibar.)

I'm planning on buying the 2 oz tube of Ultrathon lotion (12 hour). For three weeks in August, do I need one, two or three tubes?

Also, when it comes to taking out my contact lenses before going to bed each night, will the Ultrathon wash off well enough from my hands so as not to damage my lenses when I take them out?

tania

TravlinFool

Can't comment on the Ultrathon, but the one time I wore my contacts on a game drive, I regretted it. So much dust. You'll be much better off sticking with glasses. Just make sure to bring either clip-on or prescription shades.

mingxa

That was my experience on a trip once..getting a chemical on my contacts and then being unable to use them for the entire time. Best bring glasses!

VDB

We found that it wasn't enough deet. I think those mosquitos are immune. Unless we were just unusually yummy (which I doubt), I'd suggest more like 50% if your skin can take it (do a test try). I did find this brand to be very thick and hard to completely wash off. I don't wear contacts but we definately got it into our eyes unexpectedly. My husband couldn't wear his contacts at all and used much eye saliene.

eyelaser

I will only answer the contact lens part as you can see from my screen name I know a bit about eyes. There are a couple of options. First is extended wear contact lenses...if you are a candidate there are now good lenses that can be worn for 30 days continuously. My 2 sons have worn them for about 3-4 years and even wore them up Mt. Kilimanjaro last year. Theoretically you will never have to touch the lenses. Bring Refresh Tears or Renu drops in case you get dust in your eyes or need to lubricate the lenses while wearing them. The second option are daily disposable lenses which are tossed each night and a new set put in each day. These can now be purchased in limited quantities of about 10 so you don't have to commit to many months supply. These lenses are a very good option so that you don't have to do a cleaning regimen each night. If your lenses are not disposable then just make sure to wash your hands very well, bring a nail brush to scrubs the nails and fingers and you should get whatever residue off your hands. I wear bifocal contacts and have never found it to be an issue on any of my Africa trips. Just bring spare pairs and have them with you on the game drive as well as glasses. On my first trip in 2001 (first since 1980) my contact lens popped out as I hit my eye with my camera(the first time a contact lens had popped out in almost 30 years) just as we sighted our first leopard at Duba Plains. It took me no time
to get a new lens in but if I didn't have a spare I would have been doomed.
Regards,
Eric

matnikstym

I've used Ultrathon and never gotten a mosquito bite. I bring 1 tube for 10-12 days and don't use it all up. Now I have 3 half empty tubes. I'd recommend taking 2 just in case.

Tania

Thanks, all, for the replies.

Matnikstym, I'll buy two tubes then (unless I get a comment from another user to the contrary.) Thanks so much.

Eric- VERY helpful, thanks. The extended wear option makes perfect sense...so you can even wear them while sleeping?? This would be the PERFECT solution. I'm going to make an appointment with my eye doctor then, and ask him about the 30 day lenses. I didn't even know they existed. I'm going to bring a pair or two of my regular disposables (also bifocals) as well (removed at night, good for a month or two), just in case, along with a pair of glasses and a pair of reading glasses.....sheesh...sucks to be forty something. Thank you SO much for the heads up. I truly appreciate it....

eyelaser

Your welcome. Not everyone can wear them, but Purevision Bifocals are approved for 30 days extended wear. I wear them myself (yes its s#$ks to be 40+ I'm 40-13 ).
They come in packs of 6 and can be worn as daily wear as I do and switch monthly but extended wear is ok for some. Be careful as extended wear does have risks. Take some antibiotic drops with you just in case. Have a great time.
Regards,
Eric