Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary - McGregor

What we do at the Sanctuary in McGregor

First and foremost we provide a permanent home and loving care to destitute, rescued donkeys.
The site is intensively managed, irrigated, manure removed and fences checked daily.

How it all began.....

Nearly a decade ago, Dr Johan & Annemarie van Zijl of McGregor village in the Western Cape of South Africa responded to a request from the SPCA to provide shelter for two badly neglected donkeys. The two fellows arrived and were named Vaal & Japie - "vaaljapie" is an Afrikaans term for everyday wine.

Soon it became evident that there were many other donkeys in similarly desperate need of food, water, shelter and care. Initially it was impossible to take in the many discarded, some very elderly, donkeys because of a lack of space and limited resources. Foster homes were found, with some difficulty, for these donkeys.

Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary was officially opened to the public by David Kramer, our Patron, in November 2007.

Come and visit us

Restaurant :

We have a restaurant to provide you, the visitor, with a place to relax and enjoy good food and a range of beverages overlooking our dam and the paddocks. We are not licensed so please feel free to bring your own - we do not charge corkage.

The Donkey Shop:

Please come and browse through our range of Donkey Notelets and laminated book marks. They were painted especially for Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary.

Adopt a Donkey for a Year!

One of the ways you can help is to adopt a donkey for a year to help towards the costs of our work. You choose the amount you wish to give to your donkey. You will receive:

* details of the donkey you decide to adopt;
* a photo;
* an adoption certificate;
* a twice yearly report; and
* our quarterly news letter.

And you are most welcome to come and visit your special donkey!

Opening Hours:

We are open Thursdays to Sundays 10am to 4pm.
On Saturdays and Sundays Visitor Guides are on duty from 11am to 2pm
(Thursdays and Fridays remain self-guided).
Every day just after 4pm is feeding time - you are most welcome to visit and watch the donkeys feeding.

Brochures and information are available in the Visitors Centre, which houses our new Donkey Shop & Bookstore and Eseltjiesrus Restaurant.

How to Find Us:

Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary is situated just 5kms outside the village of McGregor on the road between Robertson and McGregor on the edge of the Klein Karoo in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. We are 15kms from Robertson.
Watch for the direction signs as you approach Tanagra Winery.

GPS: S33o 55' 32.85', E19o 51' 58.32

Contact Us:

Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary
PO Box 29, McGregor, 6708

Tel +27 (0)23 625 1593
Fax +27 (0)86 614 7777

For more Information, you can also visit our Website: www.donkeysanctuary.co.za