Lobo Valley

Described as Paradise Valley by American conservationist Stewart White in 1913, Lobo Valley in the southeastern corner of North Serengeti is remotely captivating. Wildlife enthusiasts seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure can enjoy the scenic landscapes of rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and riverine forests. It's home to the three big cats of the Serengeti, and apart from the influx of migratory animals, it provides a permanent sanctuary to many other species.

At a Glance

Must See Tourist Attractions

• Largest pride of lions

• All three big cats in the same region

• Ancient rock formation

• Resident old Buffalo bulls

• The highest concentration of elephants

• Klipspringers

Size

± 90 square miles (± 233 km²)

Landscape

Rolling hills, open acacia woodlands, riverine forests, granite kopjes, and small open grasslands.

Main Species

Lions, cheetahs, leopards, impalas, topi, Klipspringer elephants, giraffes, warthogs, buffaloes, vervet monkeys, baboons, dik-dik, rock hyrax, and hartebeest.

The Wonder of the Wild & Surrounds

The picturesque Lobo Valley in North Serengeti, located 37 miles (60 km) south of the Tanzania-Kenya border, is known for its dramatic landscape, which includes open savannahs, rolling hills, and rugged granite kopjes.

We help you plan your dream safari where you can enjoy the remote splendors of the Lobo Valley.

Thanks to its permanent water sources, the valley offers year-round encounters with wildlife. However, from September to November, the valley comes alive to the thundering of hooves and the influx of game when the great migration moves through the area. 

Lobo Valley offers more intimate game drive experiences compared to the busier plains of the central and southern plains of the Serengeti National Park. You can also immerse yourself in one of our guided walking safaris, creating a deeper connection and appreciation of the beauty around you.

The Diverse Geography

This valley is home to some of the world's most ancient rock formations, dating back two to three million years. 

These mountain islands are granite rocks that pushed through the earth's crust in the Precambrian era. Over millennia, the soft top rocks eroded, exposing the rounded granite that now populates the savannah of the Lobo Valley.

Although smaller than the Simba Kopje in the Central Serengeti, these kopjes offer beautiful backdrops for photos and the ideal spot to sit and watch sunsets. They also provide a unique habitat for a specialized group of plants and animals in the ecosystem.

These rocky outcrops also provide shelter and natural lookout points for cheetah and lion mothers with their cubs. It’s also home to some other species that are permanent residents:

• Rock Hyrax

• Klipspringers

• Mongoose

• Porcupines

• Rock Agamas

• Snakes

• Rock figs

• Flame lilies

• Tamarind trees

Safaris mainly focus on fauna, but plants and trees offer another perspective on game viewing. The coexistence of the two is mutually beneficial, providing shade from the sun, food, and protection.

For instance, the whistling acacia thorn tree is a perfect example of nature's coexistence. This peculiar tree has large bulbous growths at the base of its thorn spines. 

Some species of ants make their home in these growths, boring small holes in the enlarged growth. In return for the tree providing a home and food source, the ants provide protection from giraffes that feed on the leaves by crawling onto their noses and biting them.

How it got this name comes from the tiny holes in the swollen spine base that create a whistling sound as the winds blow through the tree.

The area is a favorite spot for resident animals due to several life-sustaining water sources, including the Bololgedi River, Gaboti River, and Lobo Springs. The Lobo Hills flank the valley's eastern side, making them its most dominant feature.

The Majestic Wildlife

George Schaller best describes the majestic wildlife: "No one can return from the Serengeti unchanged, for tawny lions will forever prowl our memory, and great herds throng our imagination." 

The Lobo Valley boasts a rich biodiversity of wildlife viewing throughout the year with permanent residents thanks to the availability of water in the area.

You can find the largest concentration of elephants in the park among the acacia woodlands and the riverine forest. They tend to be a bit more aggressive and prone to mock charging.

An interesting fact about these giants is that they don't have great eyesight and can only see up to about 20 to 30 meters in front of them.

The herds are led by an old matriarchal female who protects them and leads them to food and water. The rest of the group consists of females and their daughters. 

Males stay with their mothers until they are 12 to 13 years old before leaving or being chased out and joining other males, aptly named the bachelor herd.

Another fascinating site is the second largest pride of lions, the Lobo Pride, which has about 26 members. You can find these apex predators lounging around in the shade of acacia trees or perched on the granite kopjes that litter the plains, surveying the horizon.

The region has the highest concentration of predators compared to the rest of the park. It’s also the only place in the park where you can view all three big cats: lions, cheetahs, and leopards.

Turning your eyes to the heavens, the soaring black eagle, otherwise known as the Verreaux’s Eagle, takes your breath away as it glides effortlessly in the skies above you, looking for its favorite prey, the rock hyrax.

Cultures and History

European explorers and hunters flocked to East Africa in the early 1800s and 1900s, lured by the thrill of big-game hunting in the Serengeti. 

The abundance of wildlife made it one of their favored spots, and the surge of hunting led to a significant decline in animal populations, especially lions, as they were hunted indiscriminately like vermin.

American conservationist Stewart Edward White was the first explorer to discover Lobo Valley in 1913 and described it as paradise. 

He recognized the area's ecological significance and raised awareness to protect these landscapes, which contributed to the protection of the Serengeti's unique wildlife.

Tanzania's two national languages are Swahili and English, alongside the 126 ethnic languages spoken by the various tribes in the country.

Best Time To Visit 

Thanks to the resident wildlife, any time of year is the best time to visit Lobo Valley. However, from September to November, the area starts filling up with the sounds of migratory animals passing through on their southward journey back to the wide-open spaces of Central Serengeti.

Getting There

The best advice for getting to Lobo Valley is to use our experienced tour operators. We at Tanzania Safaris help you discover Tanzania's treasures.

The valley can be accessed by road, by booking a safari tour, or by flying into the nearby Lobo Airstrip.

Due to the rough terrain, using a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended in this area. Roads can become tricky to navigate during the wet season.

Traveling to Lobo Valley from Ngorongoro Crater, travelers enter through Kleins Gate on the northeastern border of the Serengeti Game Reserve. 

The distance from Ngorongoro crater to Kleins Gate is 149 miles (240 km) and can take 5 to 6 hours, depending on the road conditions. The valley lies 13.5 miles (22 km) south of Kleins Gate on the B144, which is an approximately 30-minute drive. 

GPS Coordinates:

2°00'29"S 35°09'24"E (Lobo Airstrip)

1°51'22"S 35°14'43"E (Kleins Gate)

Lodging Near Lobo Valley

Attractions Near Lobo Valley

• Serengeti National Park

• North Serengeti

• Upper Grumeti Woodlands

• Mara River

• Lamai Triangle

• Wogakuria

• Bologonja Springs