Saveljić family has lived in Gradina for centuries and, as opposed to most Montenegrin villages where people are moving from or have already moved from, they have remained in the village and worked in agriculture. The farm, owned by this family, has brought a large number of visitors to the village and so, they are, beside agriculture, into ecotourism as well, including the professional bird watching. You will be welcomed to the village in two languages, English and French.

The donkey farm was founded on April 26, 2015 and it has several strategic objectives:

Protecting donkeys from extinction

Donkeys are part of natural and cultural heritage of Montenegro and, up to thirty years ago, one could not find a house in the craggy part of the country without a donkey used for many tasks. Due to its rock adaptation and easy maintenance, this animal could be seen everywhere.  Today, they have lost the battle with the industrial revolution, the villages of Montenegro are largely deserted and the donkey lost its previous role.

It has become one of the most endangered species in the country, even more endangered than pelicans. Together with the ones on our farm, there are no more than 150 animals left.

Education

The farm is open for the visitors at the weekends and, for the announced groups from schools and kindergartens, during the weekdays. In December 2018, they have welcomed more than 50,000 visitors. The role of the farm is people sensitization to the problems of animal abuse.

Many children see donkeys for the first time here, they make a contact with them, and they do not stay indifferent during this visit.

Hypo therapy

The farm offers free help to families that have problems with autistic children. Being with the donkeys has proved successful in most cases. Also, since the farm respects the animal rights, the only persons who can ride these donkeys are the children using wheelchair and this therapy can be helpful sometimes. These visits are booked separately and done when there are no visitors on the farm.

Asylum

The farm is asylum for several donkeys we bought in order to save from torture, hunger and hard work.

Donkey milk

Donkey milk is extremely healthy. It can be used for healing or alleviating cough, bronchitis, asthma, eczema, allergies, psoriasis and for recovering the body after radiation or cytostatic use. The milk is one of the best natural products for improving immunity. Almost half of the produced milk is donated for the most difficult illnesses and for children with diabetes. The rest is sold in order to preserve the farm.

Recycling

The farm is made of recycled or used materials. It recycles and asks for your support in this.

The farm has got its own vineyard, an orchard and the field for the production of organic vegetables. It has also got a Visitor Center with a room for up to 25 guests and two apartments (finishing works planned for July 2019).

The farm is situated at one of the most significant historical locations in Montenegro – Gradina Martinićka, within the nature park of the valley of the river Zeta. Beside religious tourism (Ždrebaonik and Ostrog monasteries), cultural-historic one (Gradina Martinićka, Memorial Home of the battle of Martinići and Spuška Glavica), the farm is only a few minutes ride from the attractive banks of the river Zeta.