Sc. 01
The gathering
The conversations and connections at the heart of a Virgin Unite experience.
Join a collective experience with Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, at Ulusaba, Branson’s private game reserve in South Africa’s legendary Sabi Sand.
Days move between extraordinary Big Five safari and the ideas, leaders and changemakers that Virgin Unite convenes, a rare blend of the wild and the world-changing.
An experience for the curious and the purpose-driven, where game drives sit alongside conversations that matter, crafted with the access and care of a Satopia collective experience.
"Screw business as usual. If you want to change the world, gather good people, go somewhere wild, and dream bigger than you dare."
This collective experience is hosted by Virgin Unite, the entrepreneurial foundation of Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, which exists to reinvent how we live and work to create a better world for all.
It takes place at Ulusaba, Branson’s private game reserve in the Sabi Sand, a place he has opened as a gathering point for changemakers, philanthropists and the simply curious.
An Impact Experience by Satopia, where world-class safari meets the conversations, connections and ideas that Virgin Unite is known for convening.
The conversations and connections at the heart of a Virgin Unite experience.
Meals and ideas shared with changemakers and fellow guests under the African sky.
Richard Branson’s private reserve, a rare and beautiful place in the Sabi Sand.
Big Five safari across one of the greatest wildlife areas on earth.
Talks and time with the leaders and entrepreneurs Virgin Unite convenes.
The people and projects the foundation supports around the reserve.
Three days in Johannesburg among its communities, art and history, then a private charter into the Sabi Sand for Big Five safari and gathering, and a farewell. Your designer tailors timings around your arrivals.
Welcome to South Africa and to Johannesburg, the City of Gold. Met at OR Tambo and transferred to The Residence, your first day is an immersive introduction to the city and its communities, a welcome cocktail reception, and dinner at Sanctuary Mandela — Nelson Mandela’s former home — in homage to Madiba’s love of food and gathering.
A morning through Johannesburg’s art galleries, then into Soweto — a living testament to the rich and complex history of South Africa — meeting the people and places at the heart of the city’s story.
A meaningful lunch at Food I Love You, time to pause for a Johannesburg sunset, and a dinner reflecting on the city’s impactful journey — the connection and purpose that run through the week.
A private charter flight to Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, on the unfenced border of Kruger. Welcomed to the Safari Lodge — ‘place of little fear’ — with a casual lunch and a first evening game drive in search of the Big Five.
Morning and evening game drives in open 4x4s through the heart of the bush, with bush breakfasts, afternoon tea, and the wildlife of one of the world’s great Big Five reserves.
More time in the reserve, dawn and dusk drives framing slower days at the lodge, drawing together the safari and the connections of the week, and a final celebrated dinner at Ulusaba.
A final dawn game drive and breakfast in the bush before checking out. A farewell lunch to reflect on the seven-day journey, then your return charter to Johannesburg, or an extension to Cape Town and the Winelands crafted by our travel designers.
One price, one designer. From Johannesburg to the reserve and back, your lodge, all meals, game drives and the Virgin Unite programme are held for you, so nothing is left to arrange on the ground.
This experience is hosted in the dry winter months, when the bush thins and wildlife gathers, the prime time for safari in the Sabi Sand. The chart shows the average daytime high by month, with the best months to go marked.
The bush thinning and cooler, clear days, wildlife beginning to gather at water.
The prime game-viewing season, sparse bush and superb Big Five sightings.
Warm days and concentrated wildlife before the rains, dramatic and rewarding.
The world’s problems will not be solved in boardrooms. They’ll be solved by good people, gathered in wild places, brave enough to act.
From the game drives to the gatherings, this is an immersion in that belief, on Richard Branson’s own reserve in the African bush.
Ulusaba is Richard Branson’s private game reserve in the Sabi Sand, a collection of dramatic lodges set on a rocky koppie and along the riverbed, where the wild comes to the door and the views stretch across Big Five country. Taken for your group, it is your home for the experience.
Words cannot express how grateful we are to have found you and Satopia. Our experience is one we will forever remember and cherish.
Jason • Satopia Community Guest
For up to 12 guests, on a first-booked basis. Complete the form and we’ll email to confirm your place on the collective departure. A refundable $500 deposit per person secures your application.
Fly into Johannesburg (JNB), from where a scenic light-aircraft flight brings you to Ulusaba’s private airstrip in the Sabi Sand. Transfers are included.
Virgin Unite experiences convene remarkable leaders and changemakers. The host line-up is confirmed closer to departure; your curator can share who is expected on your dates.
The Sabi Sand is one of the best Big Five reserves on earth, famed for leopard. Expect twice-daily game drives with expert rangers and trackers.
As gentle or active as you like. Game drives, walks and gatherings fill the days, balanced with rest at the lodge and time to reflect.
A group of up to 12 guests, priced per person based on two sharing. It suits the curious and purpose-driven, drawn to wildlife, ideas and connection.
New 2027 collective dates are being finalised in the dry season. Join the guestlist below and we’ll be in touch first, or ask us about a private experience.
Yes. A private version can be arranged and tailored end to end by your Satopia experience designer. Select “Private Experience” in the application below.
Absolutely. Our travel designers can craft an extension to Cape Town, the Winelands or beyond, before or after Ulusaba. Just ask.
Our experiences are designed with sustainable and responsible travel principles in mind, the need for careful planning and management as tourism grows.
Our ImpactDiscover how travel can help restore and preserve nature. By choosing sustainable options, you contribute to vital conservation efforts.
Explore Nature RestorationB Corp Certification signifies verified performance, accountability and transparency across a company’s entire social and environmental impact.
About B Corp