When you are not using it keep it in a good bag. And when you
return home have it serviced and cleaned if there are any indication
that something got inside. If you expect to shoot during sandstorms,
I don't know why you would, an EwaMarine or other brand plastic
bag might come in handy.. Comon sence don't change lenses in a
sandstorm or other dusty places.. You should be fine, enjoy your
trip. -max-

The biggest danger are not the visible sandcorns. The invisible small
ones are much more dangerous since they will go almost everywhere. I
would recommend to keep your equipment in a plastic bag (inside your
photo bag) which is sealed as good as possible and take out the stuff
for shooting only. Tiny sandcorns will destroy ANY mechanism they get
into.

Winfried

Go someplace else, like Sardinia.