East Africa Travel Blog | Safari Tips, Guides and Destination Inspiration

Everything you need to plan, understand, and love East Africa is here. The Back to the Source Tours travel blog covers gorilla trekking in Uganda, the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya and Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches, Mombasa history, safari packing guides, wildlife conservation, community experiences, and practical destination advice built on firsthand knowledge from the ground.

Whether you are planning your first East Africa safari or your fifth, researching gorilla permits or comparing Kenya beach destinations, looking for conservation organizations to support or trying to understand the Maasai Mara migration calendar, this blog is written to answer the questions that actually matter before you travel.

Browse by destination using the country buttons below, or scroll through the full archive for guides, stories, and inspiration across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Uganda Guide | Rhino Tracking, Shoebills and 2026 Rhino News

Plan your visit to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch in Uganda with rhino tracking, shoebill canoe trips, birding, overnight stays, and the latest 2026 Kidepo rhino update. [...]

20 Best Things to Do in Zanzibar: The Complete Travel Guide

Discover the best things to do in Zanzibar, from Stone Town and spice farms to Mnemba snorkeling, Safari Blue, sea turtles, and the island’s best beaches with Back to the Source Tours. [...]

Payment Options for East Africa Safari Tours with Back to the Source Tours

A straightforward guide to paying for an East Africa safari. Bank wire transfer, credit card via Pesapal, deposit timelines, permit payments, and why Back to the Source Tours is also registered in the United States. [...]

Mombasa Kenya Travel Guide 2025-2026 | History, Coast, Safaris and How to Get There

Explore Mombasa, Kenya with this travel guide covering Old Town, Fort Jesus, beaches, marine parks, coastal day trips, safari links, and the best ways to reach the Kenya coast. [...]

Diani Beach Kenya: The Complete Travel Guide to the Best Beach on the Coast

Complete Diani Beach Kenya guide: water sports, coral reefs, colobus monkeys, hotels, and how to get there from Mombasa. [...]

Why Prison Island Is One of Zanzibar’s Most Fascinating Day Trips

Prison Island Zanzibar: giant tortoises, colonial ruins, and clear Indian Ocean water 25 minutes by boat from Stone Town. [...]

Jinja Uganda Travel Guide: Things to Do in 1 to 4 Days | Source of the Nile Adventures

The complete Jinja Uganda travel guide. White-water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, quad biking, cultural tours, and how to plan 1 to 4 days at the Source of the Nile. [...]

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary: A Meaningful Encounter on Lake Victoria

Discover the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary tour on Lake Victoria, with half-day, full-day, and overnight experiences that directly support chimpanzee care and conservation in Uganda. [...]

Gorilla Trekking Packing List Uganda: What to Wear and Bring to Bwindi

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda: clothing, boots, camera gear, and everything needed for a trek in Bwindi Forest. [...]

Great Wildebeest Migration: Complete Month-by-Month Guide to Kenya and Tanzania

Great Wildebeest Migration: Complete Month-by-Month Guide to Kenya and Tanzania [...]

Things to Do in Nairobi Kenya | Wildlife, Conservation and Day Trip Guide

The best wildlife experiences in Nairobi Kenya: Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre, and Haller Park. A conservation-focused day trip guide. [...]

National Parks of Uganda | Complete Safari Planning Guide

These are all the national parks in Uganda. Below you will find a list of forests and national reserves. There is much to explore in these naturally beautiful areas. Check out the handy map below to understand the distances. This handy map should help you understand and plan your safaris [...]

How to Be a Responsible Traveler in East Africa | Sustainable Safari Guide 2026

How to be a responsible traveler in East Africa: sustainable tourism tips for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda safaris. [...]

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise | Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda Guide

Everything you need to know about the Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda. Wildlife, timing, duration, and how to book your Uganda safari. [...]

East Africa Honeymoon Safari | The Complete Romantic Travel Guide for Couples

Plan the ultimate East Africa honeymoon. Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Maasai Mara private safaris in Kenya, Zanzibar beach escapes, and romantic lodge experiences. Fully private and customized by Back to the Source Tours. [...]

Things to Do in Entebbe Uganda: Best Experiences for 1 to 3 Days

Best things to do in Entebbe Uganda: Ngamba Island chimps, Mabamba Swamp Shoebill, botanical gardens, and Lake Victoria. [...]

Arturo Islas Allende and Back to the Source Tours: A Conservation Partnership

Arturo Islas Allende and Back to the Source Tours: a wildlife conservation partnership across Uganda and Kenya. [...]

Sunbird Hill Experience | Village Conservation and Birding Near Kibale Forest Uganda

The Sunbird Hill Experience near Kibale Forest Uganda: birding with 240 species, elephant deterrent beehives, butterfly house, ex-poacher guide, and village conservation in action. [...]

Emburara Farm Ankole Cattle and Rural Cultural Experience: Mbarara Uganda

Emburara Farm Lodge near Mbarara Uganda: herd Ankole cattle, milk cows, cook traditional meals, and experience rural Ugandan life. [...]

East Africa Spring Break Safari | Student and Group Adventure Travel Guide

Plan an East Africa spring break safari with Back to the Source Tours. Group adventures in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania covering gorilla trekking, Maasai Mara game drives, Zanzibar, Nile rafting, and cultural immersion. Ideal for university groups and 18 to 35 travelers. [...]

East Africa Travel Electronics Packing List: What to Bring and What to Know

If you're planning or want to travel for longer stays, let me provide you with some guidance on everything you will need for your electronics. [...]

Shoebill Stork Mabamba Swamp: Best Birding Experience Near Entebbe Uganda

How to see the Shoebill Stork at Mabamba Swamp near Entebbe Uganda: what to expect, timing, and why it is unmissable. [...]

Hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: On-Foot Trails Beyond Gorilla Trekking

Guided hiking trails, forest walks, and nature experiences inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park beyond the gorilla trek. [...]

Batwa Village Tour Bwindi Uganda: A Cultural Experience Rooted in History and Resilience

The Batwa Empowerment Village Tour near Bwindi: meet Uganda's indigenous forest people and support community conservation. [...]

Domestic Flights East Africa: Essential Guide for Safari Travelers

Domestic flights in East Africa for safari travelers: airlines, luggage limits, airstrips, and how flights improve your itinerary. [...]

Fort Jesus Mombasa Kenya: History of the UNESCO World Heritage Site

Fort Jesus Mombasa: UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1593. A guide to Kenya's most significant historical coastal monument. [...]

Fort Portal Uganda Travel Guide: Crater Lakes, Rwenzori Mountains and More

Fort Portal Uganda: crater lakes, Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale Forest, Tooro Kingdom cultural heritage, and things to do. [...]

Educational Group Travel East Africa | Conservation, Culture and Field Study Tours

East Africa educational group travel for schools, universities, and organizations. Conservation field studies, cultural immersion, and purposeful safari experiences in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania with Back to the Source Tours. [...]

Wildlife Film Production in East Africa: On-Ground Support in Uganda and Kenya

Back to the Source Tours supports wildlife and conservation film productions in Uganda and Kenya with permits, guides, and logistics. [...]

Kyambura Gorge | Chimpanzee Trekking in the Valley of the Apes, Uganda

Complete guide to chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda. Wildlife, permits, trail details, best time to visit, and how to book with Back to the Source Tours. [...]

Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, Hikes | Walks | Sightseeing

Tucked in the heart of western Uganda, just outside Kibale National Park, lies a breathtaking ecological haven that is often overshadowed by its famous neighbor—the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. But don’t let that fool you. This vibrant, community-managed swamp is a powerful example of sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, and cultural preservation. [...]

Ssese Islands Uganda: Complete Weekend Getaway Guide on Lake Victoria

Ssese Islands weekend getaway guide: Lake Victoria beaches, boat rides, zip-lining, forest walks, and the perfect escape from Kampala. [...]

Things to Know Before Traveling to Uganda

Soon we’re welcoming you in Uganda, to make sure you are well prepared for a lifetime of memories, please read through the information below for a lot of great tips. [...]

Shimoni Slave Caves Kenya: A Historical Visit on the East African Coast

Shimoni Slave Caves Kenya: one of the most significant historical sites on the East African coast, near Diani Beach. [...]

Kenya Beaches Travel Guide: Diani, Watamu, Lamu and the Best Coastal Spots

Guide to Kenya's best beaches: Diani Beach, Watamu, Lamu, Malindi, and the top coastal destinations on the Indian Ocean. [...]

You can go on a Canoeing Excursions in Rwanda

Canoeing and Kayaking experiences in Rwanda are among the most requested and booked experience by international and domestic tourists who enjoy this magnificent experience on the beautiful Mukungwan River, Set in the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes. [...]

Learn about the Bisesero Genocide Memorial

Bisesero Memorial Site also known as the memorial of resistance, Bisesero Genocide memorial site is known so much by Rwandans for its resistance during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. Between the month of May and June, 1994 is when the Interahamwe came to carry out the massacres that sent over 40,000 Tutsis [...]

Gedi Ruins Kenya: History of the Mysterious Ghost Town on the Kenyan Coast

Gedi Ruins Kenya: the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the mysterious abandoned Swahili town on the Kenyan coast. [...]

Learning Basic Luganda 101 for Travel​

If you want to learn Luganda, here are a few lessons for you. I have also provided other resources compiled throughout the years. It's always great to at least know the general terms of a language if you plan to interact with local Ugandans and/or plan to visit for a [...]

You’ll Love the Tea Plantation Tours in Rwanda

Our tea plantation tour experience is among the most enjoyable experiences by tourists in Rwanda as they get to experience the whole process of tea plantation, harvesting and how it finally lands into the cup and the tour often ends with a taste of the unique aroma of the Rwanda [...]

The Story of theIby’Iwacu Cultural Village

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village convinced the ex-poachers to turn their back on poaching and instead perform for visitors and earn a living through their amazing traditional performances that mainly portray the Rwandan ancient rituals ranging from food preparation, traditional marriage rituals and many more. [...]

Hiking through Beautiful Rwanda

Hiking in Rwanda is a must do courtesy of the epic scenery, pleasant climate and magnificent wildlife make the land a remarkable place to explore on foot. The best hiking to be had is in the western half of the country, all the way from Volcanoes National Park in the [...]

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. [...]

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s Group Trip 2019-2020 Uganda

From our travel initiative a film project was born thanks to Ntare and his friends:Ntare started a $1,000usd film competition to benefit local Ugandas which quickly grew to raise over $10,000+. To date, Ntare and his friends have raised well over the target for this campaign.  Check out the Kickstarter [...]

Arturo Islas Allende – Filming Safari Uganda

We were happy to partner with AfrikHub to organize the best possible 3 week filming excursion through Uganda for Arturo Islas Allende and his film crew. [...]

Satisfy Your East Africa Food Cravings

Uganda's fertile soil produces an abundance of organic foods using traditional herbs and methods of cooking. Very healthy! [...]