House sit in the african bush
South Africa, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng
Pets
- Dog(s)
Elliot
Dates
- 20 Aug 2026 to 19 Sep 2026 (No sitters have applied for these dates yet. Be the first!)
About this assignment
New friends—someone to whom I can fully entrust with what I hold most precious. Someone with whom communication is easy, honest, and transparent; who gives me true peace of mind while I am away and keeps me involved in the life of my home.
What responsibilities are required of the house sitter
Presence on site as much as possible.
Open the doors to staff at 7h in the morning. release them a 4pm on Friday afternoon
respect the household routine and the way it operates
Allow Elliot to sleep on top of your bed
have smooth and transparent communication with me. I would prefer that you ask me questions rather than trying not to disturb me and taking initiatives that might not be appropriate.
Enjoy the place
What are the good features of the property and location
Nestled in the heart of nature, surrounded by bushland (the reason why sitters need a car,) this property will charm all lovers of nature, lush vegetation, and tranquility (only birdsong will disturb your peace). The magnificent swimming pool allows to fully enjoy the surroundings.
The house is very clean and comfortable, and for those who hesitate, you will feel really safe to live there. The staff is also very friendly, discreet and helpful.
What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment
You need to enjoy being isolated and recognize that farm life is very different from city life. We have all the necessary comforts, but we are mindful of conserving resources such as water. Security is a key point in South Africa; however, if you follow the routine, there is no problem (I'm here for 15 years). Having a car is absolutely essential.
Can I bring my own pets?
No, sorry.
Last updated:
17 July 2026
Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/sitters/assignment/51913
Testimonials
Beautiful location and a wonderful pet
Beautiful location and a wonderful pet Minka and I had a truly special time house and pet sitting in Cullinan. The location is breathtaking. Ideal for anyone who loves the bush, long walks, and a peaceful, secluded lifestyle. It was a wonderful opportunity. Elliot was an absolute pleasure to care for! He is such a sweet dog who loves cuddles and thoroughly enjoyed our morning walks together. Gaelle has created a beautiful, very comfortable home. She was a highly responsive, organised and meticulous communicator, which ensures everything is handled exactly to her preferences. Overall, a great experience with a wonderful pet!
Lynn, South Africa, May 2026(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
It was a great pleasure
It was a great pleasure to stay at your peaceful home Gaëlle and spend time with Elliot and Oliver who are so adorable 🥰 . We would like to thank you for the trust you placed in us by offering us this opportunity, as well as for your warm welcome and the nice weekend we spent together before leaving your home. Elliot and Oliver are so lovely dogs, so affectionate and easygoing that it makes this sit very enjoyable and relaxed. The daily long walks with them have been a real pleasure and completely stress-free thanks to their exemplary behavior (on a leash if necessary for Oliver, or off-leash). Around the property and in the house, they followed us everywhere; they are very cute and only seek your attention and love, which they return unconditionally. We loved the nighttime in our bedroom with them: both are sleeping very peacefully (Oliver on his cushion and Elliot on our bed 😉🥰🤭) Gaëlle is a very organized and methodical person (essential for living here and for managing her property) and she gave us all the necessary instructions and informations to make our stay as pleasant as possible. She is also very sensitive to environmental preservation and we have been able to observe daily her sense of ecology in the way she is managing this property and her house👏👏. Our daily WhatsApp exchanges have been a great pleasure and she was always available to answer very quickly at any question we might have. Nestled in the heart of nature, surrounded by bushland (the reason why sitters need a car,) this property will charm all lovers of nature, lush vegetation, and tranquility (only birdsong will disturb your peace 🤭). The magnificent swimming pool allowed us to fully enjoy the surroundings. The house is very clean and comfortable, and for those who hesitate, you will feel really safe to live there. Gaëlle’s staff is also very friendly, discreet and helpful. We would be very happy to come back again and can only recommend this sit to any further sitters.
Werner, South Africa, January 2026(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A wonderful experience
Our sit with Gaelle was a wonderful experience. Her communication was clear, responsive, and reassuring. She’s organised and conscious in how she approaches everything. Her detailed instructions and logical systems made it easy to settle in and feel confident caring for her beautiful home and pets. She encouraged questions and always responded swiftly, which we super appreciated. The home itself is stunning, spacious, delightfully breezy and surrounded by the sounds of nature. Despite being in the bush, it has all the modern comforts, including a gorgeous pool that we enjoyed on warm days. We didn’t have our own car, and had to get creative with groceries and transport. It’s worth noting that things like Uber and grocery delivery aren’t available in the area. We treated the experience like a retreat, a time to slow down and relish the tranquility and beauty of the bush. The live-in staff were absolutely heroes; friendly and attentive. They kept the house and pool in great condition, which made our stay smooth and comfortable. Their support really allows you to focus on what matters most: spending quality time with the animals. Speaking of which, caring for Oliver and Elliot was pure joy. We became deeply connected to their personalities, quirks, and routines, and they became our little family for those three weeks. They were always sure to remind us whenever it was time for walks, meals and cuddles. Saying goodbye was not easy. We’ll always cherish the memories and laughter they brought into our lives. Thank you, Gaelle, for trusting us with your home and your boys. This sit was both grounding and heart-opening.
Brandon, South Africa, October 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Thankyou for this opportunity
From the moment we saw this sit and had a video chat with Gaille, we knew it was for us 😊and feel that we have made a great friend along the way 😊 Gaille is super organised and there was nothing for us to have any concerns about, the staff, Thoko and Samussan were at hand if needed at any time whilst being out of the way at all other times. The house and surrounding area is within a nature reserve, every time you leave the house you will see some form of wildlife and hear the magnificent roar of the lions at the game reserve behind 🤩 Oliver and Elliot were the perfect companions for our walks, showing us the way as we went, they are so well behaved and just adorable. We miss you all already ❤️ Definitely recommend this sit as we would love to return at some point. Thankyou for this opportunity xx
Danielle, South Africa, August 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Ukathula is an amazing place
Ukathula is an amazing place only surpassed by Elliot and Oliver and thie human, Gallie. Our 2 weeks thier were peaceful, relaxing and full of live and nature. The boys as I refer to them were well behaved and a pleasure to be around. Gallie laid out thie routine and instructions to make caring for tgem easy and enjoyable. The acvomidation were perfect and spacious and the surrounding nature preseve full of wild life, including the roar of lions in the distance at a separate sanctuary. Getting town and shopping was quick and easy. Gallie was even more kind to us when our vehicle was not ready. If this opportunity comes available, don't hesitate apply and enjoy. !
Kevin, Thankyou for this opportunity, June 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
It was our pleasure and privilege to be invited back
It was our pleasure and privilege to be invited back, and we loved every animal-rich day. Ash is a big, ball-mad softy, and Elliot a spunky bundle of energy, always ready for a walk. In Gaelle’s absence, her courteous staff kept everything at the property running smoothly; and her caring community took us under its wing, regularly checking up on us and offering any help that we might need. Our visit coincided with a heatwave followed by cold and wet weather, so when not out walking the dogs, we and they were either at the sparkling clean pool or in front of the marvellous fireplace. Gaelle is supremely organised, and was available with tips, reminders and guidance throughout our stay. Our messages were met with quick responses, and Gaelle was always reassuring and friendly. She kindly invited us to share in the bounty of her vegetable garden, so we ate grapefruit straight from the tree every morning; used lemons and herbs in our cooking; and frequently enjoyed fresh spinach. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity, Gaelle!
Rosemary, South Africa, November 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We had an amazing time
We had an amazing time with Ash and Elliot at their beautiful home! Gaelle was incredibly clear and organized with her expectations, and was very supportive, ensuring we were all on the same page. Gaelle is also set up with a fantastic workspace optimized for remote work, so we were able to work without any issues. Gaelle’s property is stunning, with unforgettable sunsets, beautiful wildlife, many local attractions, peaceful setting, and lots to do! We pretty much fell in love with Elliot and Ash the second we arrived, they are very charismatic and lovable, and we already miss our morning snuggles with them! This is truly a housesit we will never forget, and would be so happy to visit again in the future!
Shana, South Africa, June 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Highly recommend
If you’re looking for bright lights (the Milky Way in all its glory), loud music (incessant birdsong), and busy crowds (boisterous zebra and twitchy impala), this is the sit for you. Communication with Gaelle ahead of the sit was easy and enjoyable. She made us aware of the distance between her home and the nearest shopping facilities, so we arrived with food for a week, for which she had graciously made space in her fridge and freezer. Directions to Gaelle’s property were excellent, and Elliot gave us the warmest welcome by jumping into our vehicle on our arrival! Gaelle gave us thorough guidelines regarding her home and animals, so we were easily able to fit into her animals’ and staff’s routines. She is highly organised, and we were encouraged to be in regular contact, especially if we had any queries or concerns. Ball-obsessed Ash is a beautiful soul, while Elliot focuses on hunting lizards. They both slept in our bedroom, and thankfully, neither of them snore. They are polite eaters, and take their treats in a very well-mannered way. Walking around the property and beyond is an absolute joy, and you will be treated to sightings of nyala, sable, warthogs and meerkat, amongst others. A highly recommended sit!
Rosemary, South Africa, April 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Amazing bush retreat
Ukuthula means “Silence” in Xhosa and Zulu. And just like that, Gaelle’s amazing bush retreat allows you to forget all your troubles and for you to live for a moment in utter tranquillity. Gaelle is an awesome host who cares deeply about her furry babies. The week of taking care of Ash and Elliot is one of the best memories of our trip to Cullinan this summer. Elliot and Ash are hysterical. You will fall in love with them straight away. They are very smart and easy to take care of. They love walking around the huge piece of land surrounding the house. And don’t forget to bring the ball. Ash will want to play in the swimming pool with it. The game is… He drops the ball in the pool….You use the pool net to scoop it out of the water. It’s great fun. Elliot just shakes his head. He thinks Ash is crazy. In the late afternoons, we discovered many routes to walk and explore around the valley where Ash and Elliot can walk around without a leash. And they are so good about it. They really just want to walk with you. Ash is a big baby. He has the most beautiful personality. He is loving and playful. Oh so playful. Elliot is such a happy-go-lucky puppy who just loves his humans and wants to be with you all. They are both so much fun. I loved our bedtime snuggles with them both. This is a great pet sit for a couple. The house is a beautiful bush (safari) styled home and our room was a dream, with an amazing bed, a walk-in shower and a view of the magnificent bush. Gaelle offered me her office upstairs to work from. This housesit will definitely suit anyone working from home. The house is on a plot situated within the Leuuwkloof Valley about 30 minutes from Cullinan. So there are a lot of places to explore in the area. Gaelle generously offered us the use of her car. Ash and Elliot like to drive around. So all in all it’s easy to explore the area and feel that you have the puppies showing you their backyard. We loved every moment we spent there. We were so fortunate to have been invited to stay the night before our sit started. It allowed us to spend some time getting to know Gaelle. Gaelle made the most delicious chicken with a special homemade (homegrown) chilli "secret" sauce. She also invited one of her neighbours to dinner. This made us feel part of the “Valley Family”. A special thanks to everyone that kept us feeling safe during our stay. Andrei who radioed in every night. Lucas at the main gate and Donald and Dorotea (our dinner companions). Also a great big thank you to the team (Sarah, Ellen and Frank) who helped us keep the house and garden well maintained. Can’t wait to get an opportunity to housesit for Gaelle again. We miss Ash and Elliot so much.
Ivone, South Africa, March 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)