It may not be populated with herds of gazelle or prides of lions, but people will have the chance to go on safari across Salisbury Plain later this month.

The safaris across Europe’s largest grass chalkland are being organised by the Great Bustard Group, a charity that works to reintroduce the world’s heaviest flying bird to the plain.

There are now 12 of the birds on the plain, since their first reintroduction in 2004.

The tours on Wednesday and on May 22, will be led by guides who are experts in the butterflies, moths, plants and birds of the area, which has 13 species of rare and scarce plants, and 67 species of rare and scarce invertebrates.

There will also be information about the work of the Great Bustard Group, which last year enjoyed its greatest success to date when chicks were hatched in the wild for the first time in the UK for 177 years.

Great Bustard Group project officer Al Doors said: “The programme has been going really well. Last year we had our first chicks hatch and we’re hoping to repeat that success and build on it.”

The safaris run from 10am-4pm and tickets are £45 from visit@greatbustard.org or by calling 07817 971327. Visit www.greatbustard.

org/evens for more details.