The Heartbeat
of Mapendano Voyages
MAPENDANO VOYAGES
Mapendano Voyages is a team of experienced individuals who have worked together for many years and have an extensive knowledge of Central and Eastern Africa. We are well acquainted with the different cultures and customs of the area as well as with the wildlife and flora. We all have one thing in common, we are totally committed to our clients. We strongly believe that a wildlife safari is a unique experience and we work to ensure that our clients get the maximum enjoyment from it.
Meet Our Team
Marcel Walter
Managing Director
French. Managing Director, but also tour leader and driver/guide. Having completed his technical studies and worked as an engineer with an American company, he left Europe in 1978 and travelled extensively throughout the Middle East and the Sahara before discovering the ‘real Africa’. Since 1985, he has operated safaris in Zaire, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. His knowledge of the fauna and flora of Central & East Africa and the many aspects of the local cultures, make being on safari with Marcel a truly memorable experience. He speaks fluent French, English, German and Swahili, dividing his time between Europe and Africa.
Morgane joined Mapendano Voyages in late 2020, bringing 14 years of experience in tourism and over 15 years of living in Rwanda. Originally from Brittany, France, she offers a unique blend of local expertise and cultural insight, bridging Rwandan and French cultures to create personalized travel experiences for both local and international clients. With a keen eye for detail, she crafts bespoke itineraries tailored to clients’ needs, while also managing key operations such as invoicing and B2B partner coordination. Her deep understanding of both the Rwandan and French markets ensures seamless, authentic travel experiences for every client. Whether curating safaris, cultural tours, or relaxing getaways, Morgane is committed to turning your travel dreams into reality.
Morgane Bechet
Tour Consultant
Butorano Francois
Finance Manager
François has been with Mapendano Voyages since 2006, initially joining as an accountant before transitioning to tour guiding in 2008. Over the years, he has led tours across Rwanda, Congo, Uganda, and Burundi, gaining invaluable knowledge of the region. While he no longer guides directly, François remains a vital part of the team, overseeing driver-guide logistics, hotel billing, and key operational tasks from the Kigali office. His extensive experience and problem-solving expertise continue to support the team in delivering seamless travel experiences. François’ dedication ensures the smooth running of operations, making him an indispensable asset to the company.
Guillaume is a Tour Consultant at Mapendano Voyages with over 8 years of experience in the travel industry and a background in accounting, Guillaume brings a unique blend of analytical skills and a passion for creating personalized travel experiences. He excels in designing tailored itineraries that cater to each client’s preferences, whether for an adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration. Guillaume is dedicated to turning your travel dreams into reality, ensuring every journey is meticulously planned and exceeds expectations.
Guillaume Igiraneza
Tour Consultant
Paula Bisangwa
Tour Consultant
Paula is a dedicated Tour Consultant at Mapendano Voyages with a decade of experience in the Travel and Tourism industry. Specializing in exceptional travel services across the region, she is passionate about creating personalized travel experiences tailored to individual needs. With expertise in crafting bespoke itineraries,She is known for her strong negotiation skills, meticulous attention to detail, and deep knowledge of the region’s tourism markets. Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or a relaxing getaway, she is committed to ensuring every aspect of your journey is carefully curated and flawlessly executed.
Jeannette Niyomahoro is the Reservations Manager at Mapendano Voyages With an Honours degree in Travel and Tourism Management and over 14 years of industry experience, she is passionate about creating seamless travel experiences for our guests. Jeannette ensures that every reservation is managed with attention to detail and care, always striving to deliver exceptional service. She takes great joy in seeing our customers’ satisfaction as they embark on their journeys, knowing their arrangements have been perfectly executed.
Jeannette Niyomahoro
Reservations Manager
Doris Muhire
Tour Consultant
Doris is a dedicated and dynamic professional with over 8 years of experience in Sales and Marketing within the tourism industry. She is committed in providing exceptional service and take pride in understanding the unique interests and needs of each traveler. Her goal is to ensure that every journey is not only enjoyable but also memorable. With strong communication skills and a personalized approach, she specialize in crafting tailored solutions to meet your specific travel needs. As your dedicated tour consultant, I will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
Charles is a passionate sales consultant with a strong background in wildlife management and over 7 years of experience as a tour guide at Akagera National Park. His deep knowledge of East Africa’s ecosystems and wildlife, combined with expertise in crafting tailored travel experiences, allows him to design unforgettable journeys for clients. With extensive firsthand experience across Rwanda and Uganda’s national parks, Charles is dedicated to helping clients create the perfect adventure in East Africa.
Charles Mazimpaka
Tour Consultant
Marcel Walter
Morgane Bechet
Butorano Francois
Paula Bisangwa
Guillaume Igiraneza
Jeanette Niyomahoro
Doris Muhire
Charles Mazimpaka
Customer Reviews
Sébastien F.2024-10-26 Excellente agence qui a organisé notre voyage de 2 semaines au Rwanda en septembre 2024 (District de Gicumbi, Akagera, Parc national des Volcans, lac Kivu, Parc national Nyungwe, Kigali,...). Premiers contacts avec Marcel et Paula pour la construction du programme, le choix des activités et des lodges : toutes nos demandes ont été satisfaites et même plus encore ; itinéraire sur mesure pour répondre à nos demandes. Voyage avec John notre excellent guide et chauffeur francophone ; fin connaisseur de son pays qui a su partager avec nous beaucoup d'informations, attentif à nos besoins, bienveillant et flexible sur le planning. Véhicule particulièrement adapté aux sites et activités réalisées et à la route effectuée ; toujours très propre et confortable. Hébergements parfaits tant sur les chambres, les repas ou les services proposés. Activités au top, pas d'imprévus, fluides. En bref, tous les ingrédients pour en faire un voyage particulièrement mémorable. Merci à toute l'équipe et à bientôt pour élargir à l'Ouganda ! WGR MB2024-07-16 Wir hatten das Vergnügen, eine unvergessliche Reise durch Uganda zu erleben. Dank der erstklassigen Betreuung durch unseren Guide James, der uns jederzeit zur Seite stand, jeden Wunsch erfüllte und auf unsere Bedürfnisse einging, fühlten wir uns stets wohl und sicher. Die Erlebnisse, wie das beeindruckende Nashorn-Tracking, die faszinierenden Schimpansen, die atemberaubende Fahrt am Murchison River mit Krokodilen, Nilpferden und Elefanten sowie das unvergleichliche Gorilla-Tracking, waren überwältigend. Vielen herzlichen Dank für diese einmalige Erfahrung. Gabi und Walter. iradukunda bosco2024-07-03 Elyse Miller2023-09-13 We had Alex for our trip to Rwanda and he couldn’t have been a better guide! He was so thoughtful and got us to go to everything we wanted to do. My mom was nervous about her second gorilla trek because of the hike, but Alex promised us an easy journey and that’s exactly what happened! Alex knew EVERYONE which made our adventure even more fun since we got to sit with the gorillas guides in our car. We would recommend Mapendano Voyages to anyone traveling to Rwanda! If you can, try to get Alex!! Thank you for the best trip! Kelly Oetinger2023-07-18 We went on a 3-day gorilla trekking trip, with Alex as our guide. I cannot say enough good things about Alex - he was a wonderful guide, and made sure that everything went perfectly! We had an amazing day gorilla trekking, and also enjoyed the golden monkey trek. Everything went smoothly, and we would love to see more of Rwanda. We would not hesitate to use Mapendano Voyages again, and would recommend this to anyone! christine perez2023-01-30 Voyage de 15 jours en Ouganda en janvier 2022. Un voyage parfaitement organisé, guide et chauffeur parfaits, très gentils avec toujours une petite attention pour nous faire plaisir, avec l’achat de fruits locaux par exemple. Le paiement est sécurisé via nomadays. Les lodges étaient choisis avec soin et correspondaient à ma demande. Merci à Charles pour son organisation, à Sam pour son accompagnement durant le séjour et à Henry pour nous avoir si bien conduit à travers les pistes pas toujours praticables ! SEBASTIEN CARLIER2022-10-16 Expérience inoubliable au Rwanda et en Ouganda. Équipe au top, serviable et réactive à tous moments et pour toutes situations ! Mention particulière à Doris pour l'organisation et la structure proposée pour notre circuit et à Jean Bosco qui a été un accompagnant exceptionnel pendant 3 semaines. Sans hésitation, recommandation +++. Au plaisir de vous revoir dans le futur dans votre beau pays.
Book A Safari With Us!
Africa is the ultimate destination for wildlife Safari. In Swahili, the word SAFARI means “journey”.
Our journeys are a cocktail of African wildlife, nature and culture.
As you follow the contours of the Great African Rift Valley from the Virunga to the ocean, through Rwanda, Uganda, Congo and Tanzania, you will experience some of the most breathtaking sights in the words. This part of Africa is a hive of natural and cultural diversity. It is a must of nature lovers.
Our suggested itineraries and tours have been carefully planned and selected to allow you to be different, daring and individual, enabling you to enjoy this truly unique experience with us.
We cross many borders-sometimes venturing into neighboring Kenya, Burundi,…
We have been organizing safari in Eastern and central Africa since 1985 and we are considered experts in our field. Come and discover with us at Mapendano Voyages the unique combination of wildlife, landscape and culture that is the magic of Africa.