Eseltjiesrus wants you to come and visit their donkeys during the December holidays!
McGregor, South Africa (10 November 2025) – If you’re looking to make a family road trip out of Cape Town in the holidays, Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary is just two hours away. It’s a safe place for donkeys who need love and care, where they can safely recover from injury, old age, or tough times.
And, coincidentally, a great place for humans to learn about donkeys, too.
The sanctuary was born over 25 years ago when Johan and Annemarie van Zijl retired to McGregor to “sit on the stoep and drink coffee while solving crossword puzzles.”
Annemarie’s resident horse was soon noticed by the local SPCA, which approached her to provide refuge to two working donkeys. They came from a local brick factory where they walked, blindfolded, endlessly in circles in the blazing sun, turning a paddle to mix clay and straw that was then shaped into bricks to dry in the sun.
“Why not,” said Johan, “we have a horse, donkeys can’t be much different. We have a very large garden so bring them along” and the two bedraggled creatures, Vaal and Japie, took up residence at the van Zijls’ property.
Well, they quickly taught their new owners that donkeys are not horses. Apart from some physiological differences, their humility makes a deep and lasting impression on all who meet them. Donkeys are grateful for every kindness shown and stoically accept whatever life throws at them.
Soon locals noticed the two new long-eared residents in the village and brought their visitors to meet them. Some kids have never even seen donkeys, so it became a thing. As time went by, more people began reporting donkeys in need.
Gradually, the concept of a retirement home for working donkeys took shape. Extensive research was done, not least about sustainable funding, and after years of planning, land was rented and Eseltjiesrus was registered as a charity, and the first rescued donkeys arrived.
The learning curve was steep. Feeding routines, hoof care and regular removal of manure were initially all performed by the van Zijls. Gradually, local village residents were trained to help with tasks. Intensive fundraising created a solid financial base, and after five years, the sanctuary could purchase land for their resident donkeys, with the support of a bond.
Up until today, a total of 55 donkeys have entered the portals of this sanctuary.
Beyond being a safe space, the organisation also grows awareness and education about donkeys through workshops for donkey welfare workers across South Africa. Insights from Eseltjiesrus also now reach veterinarians and animal welfare workers in 22 African countries through ‘Donkeys for Africa’, a resource portal that’s published 47 newsletters packed with guidance on care, disease, nutrition, and more.
Recently, Eseltjiesrus was invited to present guest lectures to the students at the renowned Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty at the University of Pretoria. Donkeys received little attention in the curricula and these lectures gave prospective vets more knowledge about the challenges that exist in the deep rural areas, where many communities still rely on their working donkeys for subsistence farming and transport.
Their care for donkeys runs deep.
And you’ll be a part of it when you visit in December. It’s a great day out for the kiddies. If you want to make the occasion extra special (and support the sanctuary) a donkey adoption makes a wonderful Christmas prezzie. The recipient of the adoption will get a personalised adoption certificate, photograph and history of their chosen donkey, and regular updates from the sanctuary.
Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary is open to the public from Thursdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm. There is no admission charge but donations make a difference.
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