Born in a Backyard. Evolved for the World.
It all started in 2018 in a Dar es Salaam backyard.
Back then, it was just Backyard Soirée, which was honestly just a fancy cover story for throwing alternative, creative events because we were desperate for real human connection that didn't involve the standard bar scene or screen-heavy routines. We were looking for spaces that felt like home.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve grown out of the backyard but kept the exact same soul.
Here is what we believe: Self-care has a massive range. It isn't just about quiet contemplation. Wellness is multi-dimensional. Throwing a paintbrush at a canvas, laughing until your stomach hurts, or navigating a rugged Tanzanian dirt road is just as healing as meditation. Play and creativity are non-negotiable parts of staying human.
Because everyone recharges and builds differently, we don’t put ourselves in a box.
We execute across four distinct pillars:
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Immersive Trips & Retreats: Bespoke journeys across Tanzania designed to save you from the chaotic logistics so you can just exist.
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Experiential Events: Public gatherings and private parties infused with art, mindfulness, and zero pretense.
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Self-Guided Roadmaps: Foolproof itineraries for independent solo travelers, couples, or families who want to explore off the beaten path without getting lost in the bush.
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Experiential & Travel Consulting: We act as the secret weapon, project managers, and business developers for other travel brands and unique venues. From shaping guest experiences to mapping out market strategy and handling heavy groundwork, we help unique concepts scale.
Bring us your wildest ideas for an adventure, an event, or a groundbreaking project. We provide the elite ground execution and deep Tanzanian network to take it from a sketch on a napkin to a living, breathing reality.
(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.