Backyard's Story
Backyard Ventures is more than a name; it’s a story that began in 2018 in our Dar es Salaam backyard. What started as Backyard Soirée—a space for creativity, connection, and alternative events—has evolved into something much bigger. From intimate gatherings that felt like home, we’ve expanded into curating heart-led experiences that bring people closer to themselves, each other, and the world.
Today, our journey is about slow travel and deep exploration. We design immersive trips that go beyond the surface, embracing experiential living—traveling with intention, presence, and a curiosity for the world. Our soulful retreats are designed to nourish and expand the soul, offering space for reflection, growth, and connection in breathtaking locations.
Beyond our curated trips and retreats, we continue to produce unique experiential events, both private and public, offering new ways to connect through creativity, mindfulness, and shared experiences. For those who prefer adventures on your own, our self-guided itinerary packages provide a pathway to explore off the beaten track—the Backyard Ventures way—infused with mindfulness, awareness, and an openness to discovery. Ideal for individuals, couples, groups or families.
As we grow, we remain students of the world, evolving with each journey and each person we meet. Our mission is simple: to create spaces that invite presence, adventure, and belonging.
(Na)Talie
The heart and mind behind Backyard Ventures, Talie is the visionary who dreamt up ByV, shaping it into a space for deep connection, holistic well-being, and sustainable travel. Every experience she curates reflects her personal journey and what she feels called to create from observing the collective needs. From soul-led retreats to immersive trips and experiential events, she invites people to slow down, explore beyond the surface, and feel truly at home—whether in a remote corner of Tanzania or within themselves. Her passion radiates through every detail, ensuring each experience is memorable.
Sylvia
As co-founder of Backyard Ventures, Sylvia brings structure and strategy to the vision, ensuring the company grows with purpose. She focuses on business development, keeping ByV aligned with its goals while creating sustainable opportunities for expansion. With an eye for efficiency and a passion for impact, Sylvia oversees the operational side of things—helping turn ideas into reality, refining processes, and making sure every experience is supported by a strong foundation. Her work allows the creative side of ByV to flourish, making space for meaningful connections and thoughtful growth.
Shalua
Shalua plays a key role in shaping how Backyard Ventures presents itself to the world. As our Creative Advisor & Brand Strategist, he ensures that our messaging, visuals, and marketing materials align with our mission and make the most meaningful impact. He supports in positioning our brand creatively, helping refine our storytelling and content strategy to authentically connect with our audience. Beyond branding, Shalua also contributes to trip creation, capturing key moments, and helping bring our experiences to life in a way that resonates deeply.