Endemic Chersomanes beesleyi
Fewer than a hundred birds left, all on one patch of plain north of Arusha. Nowhere else on earth.
Beesley’s Lark is one of the rarest birds in Africa, confined to a few square kilometres of short grassland north of Arusha. We visit with the local Maasai guides whose community protects the plains, and the fee you pay supports that work.
The same walk usually turns up Athi Short-toed Lark, Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark, coursers and the occasional Secretarybird. It is an easy half-day from Arusha and a highlight of every birding tour we run.
The Lark Plains near Oldonyo Sambu, with local Maasai site guides.
Guide’s tipWalk slowly and watch for a small lark running between tussocks, then stopping bolt upright. The Maasai guides know every territory.
Sightings are never guaranteed: these are wild animals in wild places. What we can promise is a guide who knows where to look.
Destinations
The parks and reserves where our guides look for it, each with its own best season and safaris.
The only place on earth to see the critically endangered Beesley’s Lark.
Keep exploring
Tauraco hartlaubi
A flash of crimson wings in the forest canopy. Arusha National Park is the easiest place to see one.
Tauraco fischeri
The coastal and Usambara forests’ turaco, with a red crest tipped white. A target bird for every East Usambara trip.
Sagittarius serpentarius
A raptor that hunts on foot, stamping snakes to death in the grass. Unmistakable striding across the plains.
Balearica regulorum
The golden crown, the dance and the bugling call. Endangered, but still a daily sight on the crater floor.
Ardeotis kori
The heaviest flying bird in the world, pacing the plains with its neck puffed up in display.
Phoeniconaias minor
Pink crowds on the soda lakes. Numbers rise and fall with the water, so your guide checks before you go.
Lamprotornis unicolor
Tanzania’s own starling: long-tailed, dusty grey and common around the baobabs of Tarangire.
Agapornis personatus
Green, yellow and masked in black, chattering in flocks around the baobabs. A Tanzanian endemic you will hear before you see.
Tell us your dates and the birds or animals you most want to see. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a route and a full quote.
