Going on safari -- help needed

So this old guy is traveling with OAT to Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe for safari, expecting conditions to be hot, dry and very dusty. There will be lots of animals to photo, but not close up, so I will probably keep a tcon17 mounted on my FZ 18.

A lens cap didn't come with the tcon, and I don't know of any way to use a protective filter. The tour company advises to protect camera lens with filters and to bring lens paper.

Please: How would you protect it from dust, etc.?

Any other photo suggestions will be much appreciated.

Tom