After having worked as ‘a spider in the web’ for over seventeen years, the second half of 2005 led to a U-turn in Monique's life. Selling her apartment, quitting her job was a logical next step. The well-organized personal assistant turned into a nomad with a backpack. For years she traveled the world, one journey leading to the next. Plans often took shape when she was on the road and many times the flow led to places she could not even have thought of in advance. Amongst others Peru, Bolivia, the Way of St. James in Spain, Russia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica were visited, before she lost her heart to Mali.

The idea for Papillon Reizen was born and gradually took shape in close collaboration with Boureima (aka Ibrahim) Kassogue. Dogon by origin, Ibrahim has worked as a guide in Dogon Country as well as the rest of Mali, from his early years.

A Dutch company in the start, Papillon was altered to a Malian company in 2011 to be able to create an even better balance between receiving and giving with the Malian people. In 2012 Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo were added as travel destinations, followed by Guinea and Sierra Leone in 2019.

West Africa, its people and Papillon Reizen are a constant source of inspiration, stretching borders and taking up new challenges. What’s obvious in the western world, usually isn’t in Africa. And what's obvious to an African usually isn't to a traveler. Papillon bridges the gap.