Travel with Purpose: Back to the Source Tours’ Guide to Responsible Tourism
At Back to the Source Tours, we believe that every journey should leave a positive legacy. As we continue to expand our sustainability commitments—reducing waste, supporting communities, and protecting wildlife—we invite you to join us in traveling more responsibly. In this spirit, we’ve compiled our Top 10 Practical Tips for Sustainable Travel. Each suggestion is born from our on-the-ground experience, backed by real solutions to help you minimize your footprint and maximize your positive impact.
Let's work together towards a healthier planet
1. Choose Reusable Over Single-Use
Plastic pollution chokes rivers, lodges, and wildlife habitats. To combat this:
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We provide each traveler with a durable reusable water bottle—simply refill it at safe water stations in lodges or from our vehicle’s filtered dispenser. Alternatively, carry your own.
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Our guides collect any stray rubbish from the vehicle at each stop and ensure it is sorted and disposed of at proper recycling or waste bins.
2. Minimize Water Waste
In many East African destinations, fresh water is a precious resource. You can help by:
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Reusing towels and linens—most hotels offer a hanging-towel policy for multiple uses before washing. Your hotel orientation should provide some further insight into how they handle this.
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Requesting that your laundry be washed in small, efficient batches at the hotel’s eco-friendly laundry service is the way to go, or consider handwashing some items and hanging them to dry.
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Turning off taps firmly and taking shorter showers, especially after dusty game drives.
3. Pack Light and Smart
Heavy bags mean heavier fuel consumption on vehicles and planes. To pack wisely:
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Ask your tour organizer for weather and terrain details to include what is needed and provided for your activities—this lets you bring only what you truly need.
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Opt for quick-dry, multipurpose clothing you can wash in-lodge overnight.
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Remember that most domestic flights only allow 15kg of luggage. You will need to pay extra for more weight. Of course, based on your itinerary, luggage pieces can be securely left at the original returning hotel for pickup later on.
4. Respect Wildlife Boundaries
Feeding or touching wild animals disrupts their natural behaviors and can be fatal:
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Never throw food to animals opportunistically begging by the roadside—it teaches them to approach roads and cars, leading to accidents.
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Avoid collecting fossils, insects, plants, or any natural artifact from its habitat. These elements play vital ecological roles at theor particular destination. If caught by traffic patrol or wildlife rangers, fines may apply.
5. Support Instead of Disrupt
Community performances and school visits can be enriching, but they must be handled with care and after school hours:
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Never demand, take photos, or reward children for impromptu hellos, songs or dances along the roadside—it interrupts their learning and daily life.
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Arrange pre-planned cultural visits through reputable community programs like, where women lead workshops in basket weaving, traditional cooking, and storytelling. Your participation directly funds education and empowerment.
6. Choose Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences
Overcrowded trails accelerate erosion and stress wildlife. Instead:
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Opt for less-traveled hikes and nature walks in community conservancies or private conservations near main national parks.
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These solitary paths offer deeper connections with nature and cultural landscapes, spreading tourism benefits evenly across regions.
7. Support Local Economies
Local businesses thrive when tourism dollars stay close to home:
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Dine at family-run eateries and buy crafts directly from artisans at markets or cooperative shops.
8. Offset Your Carbon Thoughtfully
While we plan efficiently to reduce emissions, consider neutralizing your remaining footprint:
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Choose verified carbon offset programs that fund reforestation in Uganda or renewable energy projects in East Africa.
9. Stay Informed & Flexible
When you travel with Back to the Source Tours, we share real-time updates on weather, road conditions, and community events:
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Use these updates to adjust your plans—for example, swapping a midday game drive for an early-morning bird walk in cooler, drier air.
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Flexibility not only enhances comfort but reduces energy waste (like idling vehicles waiting for late starts).
10. Carry the Spirit of Conservation Home
True responsible travel doesn’t end when you return:
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Share your stories and lessons on social media or community forums—encouraging others to follow sustainable practices.
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Stay connected with community initiatives you experienced—consider ongoing support through school tuition programs or donations.
Through these practices, we all become champions of the places we love—preserving their beauty, protecting their wildlife, and uplifting their people. At Back to the Source Tours, responsible tourism is the foundation of every itinerary we create. Let’s journey together, consciously and compassionately, leaving each destination better than we found it.
NOTE: There are certain activities that are widely recognised as having a detrimental impact on animal welfare, and in some cases, may present a high risk to visitor and staff safety. We absolutely discourage visiting or contributing to facilities that allow humans to interact with wildlife for the sole purpose of making money, tourism etc.
We completely avoid these activities, that have been classified as ‘unacceptable’.
Beware of such programs that claim they are conservation establishments.
