Ecotourism
Richard Torro considers Kabarole tours to be an "Ecotourism Operator": Ecotourism is a concept which many be defined and applied in different ways. The IUCN (or the World Conservation Union) defines ecotourism as:

“Environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature and any accompanying cultural features — both past and present that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.”1

Ecotourism is essentially a type of tourism that encourages nature conservation and community development while keeping the environmental impacts of the tourists to a minimum. Kabarole Tours and Safaris is considered an ecotourism organisation because of its strong commitment to these goals.

Nature Conservation
One of the primary goals of ecotourism is to help protect nature. By bringing tourists to the natural sites of the region while emphasising low-impact travel, Kabarole Tours and Safaris promotes the conservation of these rich natural environments. Since these natural ecosystems bring in tourist dollars and therefore contribute to Uganda's economy, there is added incentive by locals and non-locals alike to help protect the land from intense exploitation.

Community Development
An important aspect of ecotourism is that it fosters beneficial outcomes for the local community. Tourists drawn to Kabarole Tours bring needed business to craftspeople, farmers, tour guides and people who provide accommodations and transportation. Since Kabarole Tours and Safaris is an organisation operating under the true premises of ecotourism, these profits are redistributed to the community in many ways.
Here are descriptions of some of the current community projects:

1. Community Library: The organisation has already drawn up plans for a Community Library on land which Rutoma School has donated. This project will give students in the whole area access to reference books, as well as allow them to borrow fiction and non-fiction books. Furthermore, the Community Library will allow locals to have access to newspapers and to participate in an evening and weekend study program. Fundraising activities for the construction, furniture and books are in progress and construction will start in January 2007.
2. Local Youth Football Club: The purpose of this club is to engage youth around Lake Nkuruba in sports in order to avoid idleness and gain a sense of belonging and pride in their personal achievements. So far, we are trying all these things with the help of a volunteer from Australia who is leaving at the end of the year. We are still looking to acquire balls, shoes and uniforms.
3. Local Entertainment Club: This club has been formed mostly of girls from the area. They prepare and practice their show on Saturdays and give performances for tourists every Sunday at Lake Nkuruba. We have provided them with costumes and musical instruments. This is a great success.
4. Water Well: Waterways local to the Fort Portal Community have been contaminated with agricultural runoff and livestock excrement due to the establishment of local farmers. A well-building project has been proposed for the city to give civilians access to water which is not contaminated by agricutural effluents and harmful bacteria.

The organisation is also looking at taking advantage of labour offered by “volun-tourists”; tourists that offer their time as volunteers. Though no projects have been executed as of the present, there are many in the early stages of development.