Come and experience farm life at the only donkey dairy in South Africa! Donkey dairy, you ask. “They’re not common,” says farmer Jesse Christelis (pictured left, middle) with a laugh. “A cow can produce 40 litres of milk per day, but a donkey can only produce about 250 ml. Cows can be milked on a large scale without the calves needing to be with their mothers; cows also produce well under pressure. Donkeys don’t work like that – if you take away the foal, or if the mother is stressed, she won’t produce milk.”
Fortunately, this farm at the base of the mountain is far from city noise and offers donkeys – and weekend visitors – a stress-free environment.
Jesse used to farm sheep and enlisted donkeys to protect his flocks after they were being preyed on by stray dogs and jackals. “Donkeys are good at protecting a flock,” he says. “A horse might bolt, but a donkey will fight back.”
Jesse rescued his first donkeys – Saartjie and Betsie – from an abattoir. “I had to bottle-feed and raise them, then they looked after my sheep.”
Jesse rescued more and more donkeys and started researching the benefits of donkey milk: It contains retinol, lysozyme (a natural antibiotic) and natural antihistamines that help to treat eczema. “The biochemical compounds of donkey milk are the closest we have to human breast milk,” he says. “We often help parents whose babies can’t drink formula.” Donkey milk also contains less casein protein, making it more suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.
Come spend the night and get the full story – and meet the donkeys. The self-catering stone cottage on the property has colourful decor and is in a pretty garden away from all the farm activities. There’s a pool, a braai and a lemon tree with enough fruit for your G&T.
There are other weird and wonderful animals for the kids to interact with: miniature donkeys, miniature cattle, llamas, alpacas, camels – even a zebra. The kids will have a jol – they can bottle-feed a dwarf goat and brush a donkey.
Where? 21 km north-west of Magaliesburg via the R24. The final 6 km section is along a dirt road.
Rate: Cottage from R1 200 per night for four people (double bed and a sleeper couch). Jesse is currently renovating a second cottage that will sleep six people.
Contact: 072 262 5369; thedonkeydairy.com
What else? The farm has a restaurant and shop and day visitors are welcome – book beforehand. It costs R80 per adult; R50 per pensioner; free for children under 2. There are hiking trails (R40 per person), donkey milk tastings (R45 per person) and donkey rides (R40 per person) on offer.
Article Link: https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/go/20250801/282295326242435