Link to review on the Lonely Planet travel forum: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/africa/mali/mali-trip-report-with-papillon-reizen-sept-19-lengthy
Robyn - Canada
25 September 2019
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Thank you very much for the fantastic trip. Perfect organization and the driver and guides were great guys. I never for a second felt unsafe and it’s sad that Mali gets such a bad stereotypes.
I will be posting pictures from my Mali trip! Also I would like to stay connected since I am certainly going to recommend Mali and you to many of my traveling friends.
Thank you again!
Rus - United States
Rus Travels on Facebook
13 February 2018
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A million thanks to you for a truly awesome tour, and for all that you have acheived and continue to acheive for tourism in Mali. Also I will certainly leave a great review on your page when I return to Dublin next week. I will do anything to help and support you and Papillon.
With love, respect and gratitude
Caroline xxxx
Ireland
4 February 2018
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I would like to thank you so much for the perfect organization of my trip. I enjoyed everything so much, Cheik is a wonderful driver, Daouda, Ibrahim and Soumaïla are excellent guides with outstanding knowledge about history and sites. I was surprised being told so many details.
Cheik drove me perfectly to each destination explaining and answering all my questions on the road. I felt always protected and cared of a lot.
Ibrahim explained everything so well - it was far better than what I had 10 yrs. ago. Daouda as well made the visit of Sikasso an amazing experience for me. I like Sikasso a lot. Soumaïla went hiking with us and showing the water of the cave. It was quite a hike, a real adventure.
I can recommend everything, it was to my full satisfaction. I‘m sure it won’t last 10 more years to come to Mali again 😀.
Thank you once again for this beautiful trip!
Looking forward to seeing you next time.
Best regards,
Doris – Liechtenstein
20 January 2018
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Today is the second day after the [hiking] trip and believe me, I am still feeling upbeat and so excited that I took this trip. Everything just fell in place. Fofana Mamadou our English guide and Mada our French guide were just amazing people with great attitude. Mohammed the Chef did the magic with his kitchen, the dinner was amazing and he was equally a lovely gentleman. I need not forget Moussa at the camping site with his Malian tea hospitality. I enjoyed the expedition and would definitely recommend it to any willing person.
Keep me posted with other adventures by your company.
Martin - Mali
13 December 2017
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We really enjoyed the trip. Mali was much more interesting then we had thought and it was great . We stopped in a village that was not on the plan and it was one of those special moments with the welcome re got in the village and the children. The star of course was Abdouleye. As you may know we have travelled a lot. I have to say he is in the top two guides I have ever had. He was ready to assist and answered all our questions. He was a very nice man and we are lucky to have him on our trip.
David - Ireland
November 2017
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I was in Mali September 2017 and stayed there around 2 weeks. It was unforgettable time – of course positively unforgettable.
My observation:
- safety – absolutely safe (in available regions – without north of country), no sensation of fear, very friendly people (especially in Dogon Country)
- you will not be hungry, don’t worry; easy access to clean (bottled) water, a lot of different food, sth. for fruit lovers, meat-eaters etc. Best restaurant Balanzan (if I remember name) in Segou
- culture, architecture – stunning and astonishing, one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen
- nature – only Norway can be parallel to Mali, but It of course a different type of nature
- climate – hot, very hot, but I’m very, very pale European
- my guide – just Black Samurai, super mega turbo cool
- accommodation – not for princesses in Dogon Country, rest is normal standard
- transport – if you have limited time to travel take a private car, public transport brings more experience, but is a bit unreliable
Monica, Ibrahim Thank you for assistance and friendly relationship.
Lukasz Obolonczyk - Poland
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Kind regards,
Shannon Dunn
27 March 2016
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Excerpt from a review on Tripadvisor: Finally, we felt that a lot of our enjoyment of Mali was due to the excellent service provided by Papillon, and would heartily recommend their agency.
Visit Tripadvisor to read the full review.
Todd Mulder and Sean Cronin
19 March 2016
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Greetings from snowy New York. This is just to confirm our safe return, and to inform you that we had a great trip--so thank you. And please thank our marvelous guide, Sanny, for his invaluable help. He was truly wonderful...
Joe & family
21 January 2016
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It is with lots of gratitude that I look back at my decision to visit Mali. The trip through Mali has given me, as a person, a lot of insight of and appreciation for the cultural values and standards in the country.
Els Jonk – Nederland
15 December 2015
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We had such a great trip! Ibrahim was a fantastic guide, patient with the kids, and an overall cool gentleman. The rest of the crew were helpful and kind as well. I would highly recommend your company to others.
Kourtney Wessels - Mali
29 September 2015
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I have had a lucky chance to run into the Papillon Reizen office and never regret using its service. It was a tailor-made trip and I really enjoyed it. The personnel is very competent, professional and attentive. I think it's the best choice in this part of Africa (they also provide travelling to the neighboring countries). I am happy to be their client and hope to use their service in the future.
Nikolay Sosnovskiy - Tbilisi, Georgia
February 2015
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I have to tell you - you are the best of any "tourist" company I've ever dealt with. What sets you apart is real lack of desire to get as much money out of client as possible, on the contrary you tried to make it cheaper for me, so far you are the only one I encountered. You are very responsive and always available on line for questions; everything you arranged is on time and can be depended on even in Africa . You treated me not as a customer but as a friend. I'll do my best to promote you.
All the best,
Edward Samson - USA
17 October 2014
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First of the very all, a BIGGGGGG Thank You to Papillon Reizen for bringing us such an exotic trip in Dogon Country (no cliche!). We really had a great time (though I was a bit feeling unwell) - a truly amazing experience especially for us who are doing the first-time Africa!
And secondly, we would like to thank Ibrahim once again - not only that he is professional and knowlegeable, but he had been being a very responsible guide taking care of us.
Last but not least, Mali is such a great country that requires more good guides like Ibrahim to bring traveller experience to a higher level. And it deserves a better worldwide regconition as a starred travel destination too. As a way to help we will be spreading the good words about Mali (and of course Papillon Reizen) amongst the Hong Kong travel community.
Keep up the good work! Monique and Ibrahim! You guys rock!
Isaac & Mars - Hong Kong
June 2014
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Thanks a lot to Ibrahim, from now on we will call him the best tourist guide in the world. He has been both a friend and a great professional during this trip around Mali. We will always keep these wonderful days and him in our heart. We will strongly recommend our acquaitances in Mali to go with you for this worth while visit!
Miriam Garcia, Spain
June 2014
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We have enjoyed our journey through Burkina Faso and are looking forward to do it all over again. Two weeks isn't too long and it isn't too short either.
We have seen a lot, nice travel pace and professional companions. Ibrahim and Inno were truly an addition to the party.
Eric and Jelle Kamsma - The Netherlands
March 2014
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Mali and surrounding countries are stunning places to visit - safe, heart-warming and beautiful. And there are no better people to take you there than the team of Papillon Reizen. Got to do it!
Catherine Campbell, Australia
February 2014
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We toured Mali for two weeks in January this year (2014). We organised a tailor made private tour with Ibrahim Kassogue of Papillon Reizen tour company ( http://www.papillonreizen.com) a company run by Ibrahim and his Dutch partner Monique. They can tailor make a tour to suit your interests - Dogon trekking, pinasse and camping trips, visiting villages, etc etc. You get in touch with them and they sort out a tour which meets your needs and they give you a quote. Our tour included a mix of public transport, hotels, private cars, a pinasse trip down the Niger river and camping. Breakfasts were usually included. Ibrahim even got tickets for an inhouse concert by the renowned Malian singer, Oumou Sangere!! It was a great way to see Mali. We really enjoyed it. Ibrahim showed us a lot of Malian life we would have not accessed or experienced by ourselves. We loved going to villages and meeting people, especially the children. We felt very very safe the whole time we were in Mali, despite the recent problems and the over the top travel warnings. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Jan & Evan, Sydney - Australia
January 2014
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I would do a journey like that again. It can’t be any more easy. You ask a question. Papillon comes with a proposal. The price is set. You pay and you have a journey entirely tailored to your wishes. It just can’t be easier. Many thanks to the entire team, who worked it out on high-quality.
Lukas Ervijn – België
29 December 2013
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Dear Monique,
Such a peaceful oasis this is in stormy Africa with its variety of people, smells, colours and mud. Awesome to wake up with the sounds of passing fisher boats and sand pirogues. Thank you, for the with lots of attention and love for Mali organized trip.
Good luck with Papillon. Please stay the butterfly that you are, and it will without a doubt become a beautiful company.
With love,
Karin in ’t Hout
Gouda, The Netherlands
22 July 2011
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You're warmly welcomed, wherever you are. Especially most children love to touch a white skin and sometimes walk hand in hand with you for quite some time.
Especially Ségou, for me, is a good mix of Malian culture, day trips and a comfortable accommodation with Monique at the riverside.
Robbert, The Netherlands
22 July 2011
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Dear Monique,
Thank you for your large contribution to my unforgettable trip through Mali! I’ve enjoyed the beautiful buildings, the colorful markets, the stunning nature, the impressive elephants and the delicious food to the fullest. And most of all I have enjoyed the warm, spontaneous, lovely people I have met everywhere. It’s because of them and you that Mali has taken a special place in my heart.
Love, Nicolette
23 April 2011
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Dear Monique,
I found your place accidently on-line, a day after you posted your custom-made portion to the website. All the stars must have been aligned that day because everything worked out perfectly! It was such a pleasure to have a warm and friendly voice call and answer a last-minute tourist’s questions and assuring everything would work out. I really enjoyed the bus ride and getting to see a different side of Malian life in Ségou, that you cannot see in Bamako. You and your friends (Amadou, Ibrahim and both Baba’s) and everyone else I met at your lovely little hidden treasure made me appreciate Mali and the universal kindness and understanding that individuals from different countries and on different journeys can demonstrate to each other. If I come back to Mali I will surely return and will send anyone who comes here your way. Ségou was an amazing and much needed rescue from my working days in Bamako. Best of luck!
Emy Montiel, Washington DC
March 13, 2011
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Dear Monique,
Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality. Your place is indeed a small haven of peace & tranquility and I have loved spending time by the river and sleeping under the stars.
Thanks too to Amadou & Segou for looking after us so well & also to Ibrahim, the perfect guide.
A lovely end to our stay in Mali.
Christine (London/UK)
9 February 2011
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Monique’s place really is a little piece of heaven – the view of Djoliba from the terrace is to die for! Such a tranquil place (& the neighbourhood is extremely funky) – fresh papaya from the garden – the fishermen on the river, & Monique (& Amadou) are the perfect hosts – one could not ask for more. A highlight of our trip.
Hugh – London
9 February 2011
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Tack för ett fint rum, fredig atmosfär & toppen personal!!
Nina & William, Sweden & Colombia
7 February 2011
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What a pleasure it was to spend a week at Monique’s house. After the hustle and the bustle of the festival, it was wonderful to sleep under the stars and fell asleep listening to the gentle lap of the water and the soft calling of the creatures of the night. The shade of the tranquil courtyard is a haven of peace. Monique, Amadou and Secou were wonderful hosts who went out of their way to make our stay an absolute joy. Many thanks to you all & I will see you again. X
Marina – London
7 February 2011
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Thanks for a wonderful stay - relaxed, non pressured, comfortable, under the stars – what a dreamhouse! Will definitely be back!
Deanne
6 February 2011
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Dear Monique,
A beautiful journey through Mali with an immersion in Dogon Country. Enriched by many experiences we could recover in your own delightful little paradise. You and Ibrahim gave us a fantastic time in Mali.
Thank you for all of this, hopefully we will meet again.
We will need the time to come to process all impressions.
Pietje & Geny, The Netherlands
31 January 2011
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Monique,
How great it is to be opening this book on this magical beautiful place in Mali! Thank you for your loving care and a wonderful stay! I hope to return here some day.
Mirjam, Den Haag (Scheveningen), The Netherlands
1 January 2011
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Monique,
Thank you for the loving care, the delicious food, the warm welcome and the cosiness!!
Merci :)
Annet Andres, Ede – The Netherlands
1 January 2011
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In the middle of nowhere, there is a wonderful hostess and friend Monique, who made all the difference for the rest of our stay in Mali. We were her first guests at the guesthouse and we spent a fantastic evening in the lovely courtyard.
Thank you Monique for your generous hospitality.
Greta Isac, Vancouver, Canada
1 January 2011
