by Hannah Collerson
The American Southwest offers a plethora of unique travel opportunities from desert escapes to mountain hikes. One of the most incredible destinations that is still relatively undiscovered is Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona. Nestled into Navajo Land near the Arizona-Utah border, this must see slot canyon is a geographical feature that welcomes exploration.
Antelope Canyon was formed by floodwater wearing away at the sandstone over time. The canyon walls are incredibly smooth, with a wave like or spiral structure. Slot canyons were made famous by the 2010 film “127 Hours,” which tells the story of Aron Ralston’s treacherous self-rescue while canyoning alone in Utah.
It’s easy to visit Antelope Canyon as part of a tour, but there a few things to consider when planning your visit.
Planning Your Visit
Upper vs. Lower Antelope
Antelope Canyon is divided into two parts- Upper and Lower Antelope. They are nicknamed the Crack (Upper) and the Corkscrew (Lower). The two parts require separate admission fees, and they are not accessible from the same location or tour. It’s worthwhile to visit both parts of Antelope Canyon to maximize your experience, but if you don’t have time then there are a few factors to consider before deciding on one.
One of the biggest differences between the canyons is accessibility. Lower Antelope Canyon is within walking distance from the parking area, but it does have multiple flights of stairs and ladders to get into and out of the canyon. Lower Antelope is also much more narrow than Upper Antelope, so you should be comfortable with tight spaces and some mild climbing. Upper Antelope, by contrast, is a short drive (usually on an open bed truck or in an SUV) from the parking area, but there are no stairs to access the canyon. The upper canyon is much wider and easier to navigate, so it might be a better choice for you if you have trouble walking for long distances or climbing on uneven surfaces.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, one canyon might better suit your needs. Photography tours are available on both sections of Antelope Canyon, but Upper Antelope is better known for its dramatic light beams that create stunning photographs. And because the canyon is wider, Upper Antelope offers more space to set up a tripod, making photography easier.
If you are seeking a more unique experience, Lower Antelope tends to be less crowded, and the tour feels a little more like an exploration with the narrow passageways and steep staircases. It is also significantly longer than the Upper Antelope tour.
Getting a tour guide
It’s not possible to visit either canyon without a Navajo tour guide. You wouldn’t want to find yourself living your own version of ‘127 Hours!’
Many companies offer advance bookings, but they are not always necessary. If you are visiting in peak season (June, July, and August) then definitely plan ahead and reserve your tour. For tours during the shoulder or low seasons, you will usually be able to show up on the day and join the next available tour. Weekends are always more crowded, so aim to go mid-week if possible.
In addition to the cost of your tour ticket, there is also a Navajo Park Permit Fee. Parking is free on site.
If you plan on using a tripod or monopod for your pictures, you must book a photography tour. These tours allow for more time in the canyon to get your shots, and you are allowed to bring extra equipment. No tripods or monopods are allowed on the standard tours.
Lastly, confirm the time of your appointment if you make an advance booking, because parts of Arizona and Navajo lands do not observe Daylight Savings Time.
Getting to Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona. You can access both Upper and Lower Antelope by traveling 2 miles East of Page on Highway 98. On the north side of the highway is Antelope Point Rd, and access to Lower Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is accessed from the south side of the highway, directly across. It takes approximately 10-20 minutes to travel between the two canyon sites.
Expert Tips
- The best time for capturing light beams is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. when the sun is at a nice angle in the sky.
- Lower Antelope is usually less crowded, and the tour is significantly longer than Upper Antelope.
- Ask your guide for tips on how to capture great photos (even with your iPhone). Many guides can point out unique silhouettes that are only visible from certain angles.
- Check the weather before your visit as flash floods make slot canyons incredibly dangerous during storms. Lower Antelope is often closed when there is rain in the area.
- *Ken’s Tours for Lower Antelope and Navajo Tours for Upper Antelope. The tours for Upper Antelope tend to meet in downtown Page first, but you can also just drive to the site and wait for the next tour to arrive.
- Be sure to wear appropriate footwear to navigate the canyon, and bring sunscreen and water if you are visiting during the summer months. Most guides wear bandanas in the event of blowing sand within the canyon, so it can be useful to bring one along.
Great Things Nearby
The Southwest is home to many cool geographical features, and many are in driving distance of Antelope Canyon. Make the most of your trip by taking the time to visit some other iconic spots the area has to offer.
Horseshoe Bend
With stunning views of the Colorado River as it winds through the canyon, Horseshoe Bend is an incredible lookout point in Page Arizona. It’s one of the most photographed areas that is easily accessible (just under 10 miles from Antelope Canyon).
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is a scenic reservoir and vacation destination on the Arizona-Utah border. It’s a great spot for boating and water activities, but it’s also convenient for an afternoon hike or short picnic. It’s a little farther from Antelope Canyon at 80 miles, but it’s a great stopover on your way to or from Page.
by Hannah Collerson
A trip to the Serengeti in the heart of Tanzania is an unforgettable journey that will be fondly remembered forevermore. There is plenty of dust, plenty of driving, and plenty of early mornings. But none of this even registers once you reach the plains and witness the sheer incredible concentration of animals all around you.
Like a David Attenborough documentary come to life, you can witness the great zebra and wildebeest migration, come face to face with lazy lions and enormous elephants, and try to spot a leopard or cheetah camouflaged in the vast surroundings.
Getting to Serengeti
Our tour was provided by Intrepid Travel and was superbly professional throughout. Everything ran like clockwork. Our guide was knowledgeable and answered all questions. We always knew where we were going and what we were supposed to be doing, which isn’t always the case on group tours!
We began in Nairobi in Kenya and drove for a couple of days through the country before crossing the border to Tanzania and reaching Lake Victoria, our first campsite. Along the way we admired the beauty of the Kenyan countryside and the Maasai herdsmen with their colourful flowing robes.
We also had the opportunity to visit a soapstone co-operative where the local men and women joined to create beautiful soapstone figurines. Seeing their skill in chiselling, polishing and painting was eye-opening and we happily purchased some gifts for those waiting back home.
Enter the Serengeti
Once we reached Lake Victoria we set up our tents and had another great experience as we were given a bicycle tour of the neighbouring town.
We saw the local fishermen bring in their hauls of sardines and visited a market with an incredible variety of fruit, seeds, grains, and materials for sale. Some sellers were delighted to take a photo opportunity with us and posed like professionals! This was great fun but the best was yet to come.
Our next stop was a church where the worship took the form of song and dance and we joined in with our best efforts – no doubt we gave the regulars a good laugh with our attempts. With lots of hills to climb we were ready to rest and prepare for our journey into the Serengeti National Park the next day, our main event.
Serengeti National Park – The Main Event
At the gate entrance we stopped for lunch and saw our first animals close up with some mongoose and a baboon crossing. We were delighted but soon such animals would be small fry.
We were travelling at a good speed to make it to our campsite with time to spare to set up our tents. The slower game drives would be the next day but we still stopped a couple of times when something caught our guide’s eye.
By chance it was on this initial journey we had our only opportunity to see the ‘king of the jungle.’ A male lion lounged at the roadside casually sunning himself, not bothered in the slightest by our presence. He was a majestic figure with his crowning mane. However as we soon discovered, the lions in the Serengeti are a relaxed bunch and he hardly moved a muscle. We didn’t mind as seeing such a creature up close and personal was all we hoped for.
Camping under the Serengeti stars
We camped two nights in the wide open Serengeti plains, which was an experience I will never forget. The sky was perfectly clear at night, every star shined brightly and we were out in the open without any fences separating us from the animals.
After strict warnings regarding the procedure for any night-time toilet trips we went to sleep in eager anticipation of a day’s game drives.
We woke at 5:30 to make the most of our day and after a hearty breakfast hit the roads.
The Group Safari
This was what we had been waiting for and it did not disappoint.
Soon zebra, buffalo and wildebeest became as common to our eyes as sheep and cattle back home, they were everywhere. The predator cats will surely never go hungry!
We soon saw the destruction a group of elephants can cause as they tear up and devour trees in their path. These beasts lumber around at a leisurely pace and work their trunks with remarkable skill. A couple passed directly across our vehicle, their sheer size was so impressive, likewise the giraffe who almost stuck his head in our window to say hello.
There were warthogs, baboons, gazelle, hippos, and various birds in abundance. The rarer sightings were leopards and cheetah, leopards generally relaxing on the branches of a tree. We went off our track for a view of two cheetah hiding in the long grass and were very appreciative of our driver for bending the rules this once!
Lionesses relaxed on the rocks and all animals tried to avoid the piercing heat of the sun. The simplicity of watching these animals go about their daily lives was wonderful and hours felt like minutes as we drove around in the dust.
The landscapes were awe inspiring and a great sense of peace can descend as you contemplate another world very foreign to our hectic daily lives back home.
Ngorongoro Crater
The next day was our final destination for safari activities as we made our way to Ngorongoro Crater. It spans 260 square kilometres at its base and was formed when a volcano exploded and collapsed in on itself two to three million years ago.
This is the only place where we could potentially see a rhino although there were no guarantees; sightings of this conserved animal are rare. The crater itself was fascinating, with a huge amount of animals contained within.
It was here that we encountered the most exciting experience of our trip, pulling up at the roadside to see three lionesses only a few feet from our jeep. Imagine our surprise when a fourth suddenly popped up from its hiding place in the grass and strolled over right to the edge of our jeep to enjoy the shade!
We could have touched her through the window if we were foolhardy enough, but scrambling to take photos and videos from the safety of our jeep was more than enough excitement.
We also spotted one rhino in the very far distance. Even with binoculars it was difficult to make out, but we counted it to make sure we completed our viewing of the “big five”. These big five are the elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard. They are so named because unfortunately they are the most popular animals for poachers to target and also the most difficult for them to hunt.
Goodbye Serengeti
This concluded our trip, there was the option of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for the brave but we had done more than enough for one holiday. This was an amazing experience and once you do not mind a little hardship I would recommend it for any adult. Our trip would not be well suited for younger children and would be ideally suited for single travellers or couples. Take a chance on an African safari adventure and you will have eternal incredible memories.
by Hannah Collerson
I’m not sure there’s anyone that doesn’t enjoy a good holiday, a change of scenery, a story to tell upon return of how amazing it was to see some other part of the world. But travelling…it’s a whole other ball game. It’s more than a couple of weeks in Majorca, or a city break in Paris. It’s a chance to really see what the world has to offer, it’s a chance to understand. Perhaps you’re considering a gap year, or a retirement adventure, or maybe you’re reading with travelling fixed in your mind as nothing more than a dream, an unrealistic fantasy, thanks to that 9 to 5 job.
Either way, what you should know, and what everyone should know, is how much better you can be and feel if you let that dream become a reality.
