Dry-season game drives are wonderful but dusty; here is how to protect your eyes, lungs, skin and expensive camera gear on safari in Tanzania.
The dry months are the classic time for a Tanzania safari, with animals gathered around water and grass short enough to spot predators easily. They are also the dusty months. Fine volcanic soil in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, red earth in Tarangire and pale powder along many access roads can turn a white shirt beige by lunchtime.
Dust is an inconvenience rather than a danger for most people, but it can irritate eyes, aggravate asthma and quietly damage cameras. A little preparation keeps it in its place.
Quick tips
- Pack wraparound sunglasses and lubricating eye drops.
- Bring glasses as backup if you normally wear contact lenses.
- Keep a buff or scarf handy to cover your face when vehicles pass.
- Avoid changing camera lenses in the open on game drives.
- Seal phones, batteries and memory cards in zip-lock bags.
When and where dust is worst
Expect the most dust during the long dry season, roughly June to October, and in drier spells around January and February. Busy tracks, the descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, and the stretches between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro highlands can be especially powdery. Vehicles traveling in convoy throw up clouds for those behind.
During the rains the problem reverses into mud, so your packing should reflect the months you travel.
Protecting your eyes
Wraparound sunglasses are the single most useful item, because they block wind-blown grit as well as glare. Bring lubricating eye drops that suit your eyes; your pharmacist can recommend an option.
Contact lens wearers often struggle most. Many switch to daily disposable lenses for the trip, carry a pair of glasses as backup, and avoid rubbing their eyes with dusty fingers. If a speck of grit persists or your eye becomes painful, tell your guide rather than putting up with it.
Breathing comfortably
A lightweight buff, scarf or cloth face covering that you can pull over your nose and mouth when another vehicle passes makes a real difference. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should discuss the trip with their doctor and keep their inhaler within reach, not in a bag on the back seat.
Drink plenty of water during the day. Dry air and dust leave throats scratchy, and staying hydrated helps. Saline nasal spray is a comfort for some travelers.
- A buff or light scarf for your face
- Lip balm with sun protection
- Moist wipes for hands and face
- Neutral-colored clothes that hide dust well
Keeping cameras and phones clean
Dust is the enemy of camera sensors and zoom lenses. Change lenses as rarely as possible on game drives, and when you must, do it inside the vehicle with your back to the wind and the windows closed if the guide can manage it. Many photographers simply carry two bodies to avoid the problem.
Store gear in a padded bag when moving, cover a camera resting on a beanbag with a cloth or shower cap, and seal phones and spare batteries in zip-lock bags. Pack a rubber blower, lens cloths and a soft brush, and clean your kit every evening at the lodge rather than wiping grit across glass in the field.
Clothing and luggage
Choose mid-tone khaki, olive or stone colors, which disguise dust far better than white or black. Soft duffel bags in the back of the vehicle collect a coating of powder, so a simple cover or large dry bag keeps clothes cleaner. Most lodges offer a laundry service, which lets you pack lighter and keep fresh clothes rotating; our guides can tell you which stops have it.
Frequently asked questions
Is safari dust harmful to health?
For most healthy travelers it causes only irritation to eyes, nose and throat. People with asthma or lung conditions should take advice from their doctor before traveling and keep their usual medication close at hand.
Can I wear contact lenses on safari?
Many people do, but dust can be uncomfortable. Daily disposables, lubricating drops and a spare pair of glasses make it far easier to cope.
Does the vehicle roof help keep dust out?
Closing windows and lowering the pop-up roof during transfers helps, and your guide will often do this on dusty stretches. On game drives you will have the roof up, so personal protection matters more.
