Back to the Source Tours

At Back to the Source Tours, we believe travel should do more than take you places—it should connect you deeply to them. We are a sustainability-focused tour company dedicated to creating unforgettable, meaningful journeys that not only inspire our travelers but also support the communities, cultures, and ecosystems we visit.

Our itineraries are carefully crafted to prioritize less-crowded paths, locally owned businesses, and authentic, hands-on experiences that celebrate the richness of East Africa and beyond. We proudly partner with community-led initiatives, conservation organizations, and ethical suppliers who share our commitment to fair wages, environmental stewardship, and responsible tourism.

Whether it’s reducing single-use plastics, choosing greener transportation options, or contributing directly to grassroots conservation projects, our mission is to leave every destination better than we found it. And because no two travelers are alike, every itinerary we offer is fully customized to your style, pace, and purpose.

We’d love to hear about the journey you’re dreaming of. Reach out to us directly to schedule a phone or Zoom consultation, and let’s start planning a trip that feels as good as it looks. Thank you for visiting—and happy travel dreaming!

Top-RATED TOURS

11-Days of Wild Luxury: From Savannah to Sea

This 11-day journey through Kenya is a seamless blend of luxury, wildlife immersion, and purposeful travel. From the dramatic savannahs of the Masai Mara to the red-soil wilderness of Tsavo and the palm-lined beaches of Diani, every destination is chosen to showcase the beauty of Kenya’s diverse landscapes and cultures. [...]

6-Days Spice, Sand & Soul in Zanzibar

This 6-day Zanzibar journey weaves together cultural heritage, spice-scented adventures, and barefoot luxury across two of the island’s most iconic regions—historic Stone Town and the white-sand shores of Kendwa. Travelers begin with a warm welcome in the cultural heart of Zanzibar, exploring narrow alleyways filled with carved doors, bustling markets, [...]

7-Days Rhinos & Nature’s Power Unleashed

This 7-day safari adventure offers a powerful blend of wildlife conservation, immersive nature, and refined comfort as travelers journey through two of Uganda’s most iconic landscapes. After a restful night in Entebbe, the experience begins at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch—Uganda’s only sanctuary for wild white rhinos—where guests stay in [...]

15-26 November 2025 (Arturo Islas Allende, The Wild Experience)

Del 15-26 Noviembre 2025, aqui nos reunimos para los que estan interesados con saber más sobre el viaje a África con Arturo Islas Allende como guía… Va a ser una experiencia verdaderamente inolvidable! Este viaje es muy exclusivo, con lugares limitados, y contará con actividades únicas, acceso a sitios fuera del [...]

6-Days Gorilla Trekking & Cultural Immersion Journey

This 6-day Gorilla Trekking and Community Experience offers an unforgettable blend of wildlife, culture, and connection—perfectly curated for travelers seeking meaning beyond the journey. From the moment you arrive in Entebbe, you're guided through a seamless itinerary that includes a scenic flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you’ll spend 4 [...]

Kalangala and the Ssese Islands Tours

A weekend getaway to Kalangala in the Ssese Islands is the perfect blend of relaxation, nature, and local culture—all set on the tranquil waters of Lake Victoria. Begin your journey with a scenic ferry or speedboat ride, arriving to white-sand freshwater beaches, cozy lakeside resorts, and warm island hospitality. Spend your days exploring rainforest trails, going zip-lining [...]

Extend Your Stay in Entebbe 1-3 Days

If you're flying in or out of Uganda through Entebbe International Airport, don’t rush—Entebbe and its surrounding islands offer some of the most peaceful, scenic, and exciting experiences in the country. Nestled along the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe blends nature, water, wildlife, and laid-back beach vibes that perfectly complement the [...]

1-Day Kampala City Tour

A 1-Day City Tour through Kampala is a vibrant dive into the pulse of Uganda’s capital—a city where tradition and modern life move side by side. From royal grounds and sacred sites to bustling markets and hilltop views, this tour takes you through the stories, rhythms, and colors that define [...]

9-Days Adventure of Walking with Wildlife Tour

The 9-day Walking with Wildlife Journey offers a slow and immersive exploration of Uganda’s most scenic landscapes, rich wildlife, and deeply rooted cultural traditions. The journey begins in Lake Mburo National Park, where travelers can enjoy guided walking safaris and optional horseback or biking adventures among giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and [...]

12-Days Primate & Wild Discoveries Uganda

This immersive 12-Day Ugandan safari takes you deep into the country’s most iconic and wildlife-rich landscapes, beginning with Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile thunders through a dramatic gorge creating a powerful natural spectacle. Game drives across the savanna provide excellent chances to see elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, and [...]

12-Days The Wildlife Experience | Uganda and Kenya

This 12-day Uganda and Kenya journey offers an extraordinary blend of wilderness, culture, and conservation, beginning in the iconic Maasai Mara. Guests spend five unforgettable days in a private conservancy, far from tourist crowds, with exclusive access to day and night game drives led by experienced Maasai guides. Wildlife sightings are [...]

2-13 November 2025 (Arturo Islas Allende, The Wild Experience)

Del 2-13 Noviembre 2025, aqui nos reunimos para los que estan interesados con saber más sobre el viaje a África con Arturo Islas Allende como guía este 2-13 de Noviembre 2025… Va a ser una experiencia verdaderamente inolvidable! Este viaje es muy exclusivo, con lugares limitados, y contará con actividades únicas, [...]

6-Days in Untamed Africa: A Conservation-Focused Safari through Kenya’s Wild Heart

This 6-day Untamed Africa Safari is a dream come true for wildlife enthusiasts and conservation-minded travelers seeking an immersive, soul-stirring adventure. From the moment you enter Amboseli National Park, you’re greeted by vast, dusty plains where colossal elephants roam freely beneath the watchful eye of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. [...]

1-5 Days Discover Jinja Adventures

Explore Jinja: Adventure, Culture & Relaxation at the Source of the Nile Jinja—set on the shores of Lake Victoria and at the legendary Source of the Nile—is one of Uganda’s most exciting and flexible destinations. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a cultural explorer, a parent with kids, or simply seeking to [...]

Road vs. Flight vs. Train

At Back to the Source Tours, we are deeply committed to offering our travelers the most unforgettable experiences of their lives, while staying grounded in sustainability, cultural respect, and environmental responsibility. Across all of our tours, you’ll notice that we provide a variety of travel options—by road, by air, and sometimes even by First Class train—carefully curated to reflect not only the best of each destination, but also your personal preferences and time frame.

Many of our suggested itineraries feature a thoughtful mix of transportation modes—allowing you to cover more ground when time is limited, or to slow down and absorb the journey when that’s your preference. This flexibility is central to our approach: every trip is customized, and every route can be adjusted to better align with your values—whether that means reducing your carbon footprint or choosing the most immersive path.

Let us know how you prefer to travel, and we’ll build the perfect experience around it—without compromising on authenticity, comfort, or our shared commitment to preserving the places we love.

Carly Yashira, Brenden Durell and Shannon Amos boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

Carly Yashira and Shannon Amos boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

Top Blog Posts

Brand Ambassador – Arturo Islas Allende

A True Partnership in Conservation: Arturo Islas Allende x Back to the Source Tours Over the past few years, Arturo Islas Allende has not only become a beloved voice in wildlife conservation across Latin America, but also a cherished partner and advocate within our East African travel [...]

20 Activities You Can Do in Zanzibar

Dreaming about Zanzibar? Let’s make that dream feel real. In this guide, we're giving you the ultimate scoop on what to do, where to go, and how to really soak up everything Zanzibar has to offer. We’re talking swimming with sea turtles, getting lost in the [...]

Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch

Tucked away in Uganda’s Nakasongola District, the Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch is a sanctuary where wildlife conservation and luxurious comfort coexist. Established in 2005 to reintroduce the southern white rhinoceros to Uganda, the ranch has become a beacon of hope for endangered species. Today, it [...]

Ewaffe Cultural Village – Mukono

Come to Where Uganda Welcomes You Like Family Just an hour outside of Kampala, Ewaffe Cultural Village offers more than a visit—it offers a heartfelt connection to the rhythms, stories, and spirit of Buganda heritage. This is where travelers don’t just observe culture—they become part of it. Here, you’re invited into the [...]

Ride-4-a-Woman Community Initiatives

Empowering Women, Preserving Culture, Strengthening Communities Located in the Buhoma sector near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Ride 4 a Woman is a non-profit organization founded to support women in the surrounding villages who are struggling with poverty, domestic violence, and lack of opportunity. [...]

Kalangala and the Ssese Islands Tours

A weekend getaway to Kalangala in the Ssese Islands is the perfect blend of relaxation, nature, and local culture—all set on the tranquil waters of Lake Victoria. Begin your journey with a scenic ferry or speedboat ride, arriving to white-sand freshwater beaches, cozy lakeside resorts, and warm island hospitality. Spend your [...]

Extend Your Stay in Entebbe 1-3 Days

If you're flying in or out of Uganda through Entebbe International Airport, don’t rush—Entebbe and its surrounding islands offer some of the most peaceful, scenic, and exciting experiences in the country. Nestled along the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe blends nature, water, wildlife, and laid-back beach vibes [...]

1-Day Kampala City Tour

A 1-Day City Tour through Kampala is a vibrant dive into the pulse of Uganda’s capital—a city where tradition and modern life move side by side. From royal grounds and sacred sites to bustling markets and hilltop views, this tour takes you through the stories, rhythms, [...]

SíMiPlaneta in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla is a globally celebrated youth wildlife and environmental education series hosted by renowned Mexican environmentalist Arturo Islas Allende. Each 26-minute episode is designed to teach children and families about biodiversity, animal protection, and environmental responsibility through engaging storytelling, on-location filming, and [...]

1-5 Days Discover Jinja Adventures

Explore Jinja: Adventure, Culture & Relaxation at the Source of the Nile Jinja—set on the shores of Lake Victoria and at the legendary Source of the Nile—is one of Uganda’s most exciting and flexible destinations. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a cultural explorer, a parent with kids, [...]

Gedi Ruins: A Ghost Town’s Tale

Gede's story is one of prosperity and cultural richness. The town flourished as a center of trade, its streets teeming with merchants and artisans. Grand mosques, intricately designed palaces, and elegant houses adorned the landscape, reflecting the wealth and sophistication of its inhabitants. The architectural style, [...]

Fort Jesus: A Timeless Sentinel of the Kenyan Coast

A Fortress of History and Intrigue: As you approach Fort Jesus, its imposing silhouette rises from the coastal landscape, a silent sentinel of centuries past. This magnificent Portuguese fortress, a masterpiece of Renaissance military architecture, stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of power and [...]

A Journey Through the Shimoni Caves

A Haunting Reminder of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Kenya, a land of vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, holds a chapter in its history that is both tragic and thought-provoking. The Shimoni Caves, located on the Kenyan coast, serve as a poignant reminder of the dark era [...]

Adding Endless Activities & Adventure to Tours & Events

Welcome to Adventure Republica the fun side of Back to the Source Tours. We have fun commercial-use products perfect for marketing events, tour enhancements, private and/or public celebrations, fundraising and so much more. Our products are available for rental and a perfect match with hotels, event [...]

Our Payment Methods

We understand that planning an international trip involves careful budgeting. To make the payment process as smooth as possible, we offer several options as listed below. We strive to make the payment process as convenient as possible for our clients. Please don't hesitate to contact us if [...]

Our Travel Form

In order to better serve you and cater to your needs, we kindly request that you fill out our "travel form" below. This form will help us gather important information about your travel preferences so that we can better understand your needs/wants and make sure your [...]

How to be a Responsible Traveler

Travel can be a wonderful way to experience new cultures, see amazing sights, and create priceless memories. At the same time, it is important to be mindful of the impact that our travels can have on the environment and the communities we visit. By following a few [...]

Learning Basic Swahili 101 for Travel​

Learn Swahili before your trip to a Swahili language country. If you make an attempt, local people will appreciate your efforts and are more likely to reciprocate. [...]

Conservation Through Public Health

Conservation is rooted in earning the support of the local communities who share a backyard with some of the most biodiverse wildlife in the world. Many of the most isolated and impoverished families live around protected areas in Africa—their lifestyles imposing an imminent threat to the [...]

10 Ways to Practice Sustainability

Being sustainability responsible means taking conscious actions to ensure that our moves and behaviors are not negatively impacting the planet and its resources. It is important to be sustainability responsible as our actions have a direct impact on the environment and ultimately on our own well-being. [...]

“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”