Donkey Farm in Martinici Village – Montenegro
Historically, the Bjelopavlići area of Montenegro has always had a significant number of donkeys. For several hundred years, locals used donkeys as beasts of burden for purposes such as working the land and hauling water. Now, centuries later, something new exists. This donkey farm in Martinici Village is a benchmark for eco-friendly farms that deal humanely with animals and provide a connection to the natural world. The donkeys contribute to the farm’s viability through their organic milk and companionship during therapy for children with disability. As a bonus, they bring a lot of smiles to the farm’s visitors of all ages.
An Environmental Visionary
Ornithologist and environmental visionary Darko Saveljić, has given so much to help protect the salt ponds of Ulcinj in southern Montenegro. He began the donkey farm in 2015. Today, Darko puts much of his energy toward developing the donkey farm as a place for personal solace and environmental education. His farm is open to visitors on Sundays for a small admission price. Sunday guests are to bring a kilo of apples or carrots as a goodwill token for the donkeys, the true stars of the farm. But now, a select number of travelers are able to experience the farm’s therapeutic power through a farm stay, available starting this August.
The Donkey Farm at Martinici and Darko personally have been featured internationally in German and French documentaries, along with numerous websites and news portals such as the Lonely Planet, Yahoo.com, and RyanAir.
About Farm Stay at The Donkey Farm
Stay at the donkey farm to enjoy nature, participate in the farming process, explore the surrounding Bjelopavlići and Zeta area, and converse with an environmental visionary and practitioner. Darko may share about his ongoing effort of moving the farm toward solar energy, his evolving plant-covered museum and custom farm stay apartments, and other eco advances. Guests are also able to book a day with Darko where he will show some of his favorite hidden places and help guests see the nature and history through new eyes. The donkey farm provides easy access to hidden gems around the Zeta River, the Ostrog Monastery, and the capital city, Podgorica. Minimum stays are two nights, but visitors usually want more time at the donkey farm.
Farm to table is standard at the donkey farm stay. Breakfasts are included and dinners with homemade wine and schnapps are available for pre-order. Farm stay guests are also welcome to enjoy the in-season fruit and vegetable produce. To sum up, the Donkey Farm at Martinići Village is guaranteed to open the eyes of any explorer to the beauty of the natural environment and the need to preserve it.
Features of the Donkey Farm in Martinici
- Located 17 km from Podgorica and 29 km from Ostrog.
- The Donkey Farm in Martinici Village offers 2 apartments for rent:
- Azra Apartment with a queen bed – sleeps 2+1 people (65 euros per night + 30 for an additional guest).
- Drina Apartment with two single beds – sleeps 2+1 (65 euros per night + 30 for an additional guest).
- Minimum 2-night stay.
- BONUS: A Day with Darko is available for him to show the local highlights like ancient bridges and monasteries, share numerous stories, discuss nature and environmental issues, and possibly head for a swim in the Zeta River if it is a hot day. Locally-sourced lunch included. 200 euros for up to 4 people with fresh fish lunch included (approximately 10am – 3pm).
- Each apartment has a private bathroom.
- Linens and towels provided.
- Free high speed WiFi.
- Private parking area on the property.
- Air conditioned rooms.
- Two bikes available for guest use at no cost.
- Free airport pickup and transfer to the Donkey Farm Estate for guests booking both apartments for 3+ nights.
- English and French spoken.
Well done
Congratulations!
We stayed at the donkey farm two nights and it was awesome. Darko who was our host is a very dedicated environmentalist as well as an ornithologist. He has a passion to save the beauty of his country and the donkey population. The accommodations are excellent and the food his mom prepares is outstanding. The farm which his parents own are the haven to forty donkeys and he works there daily to take care of the donkeys and help his dad and mom maintain the farm. He was an excellent tour guide of the area around the farm, the river, monastery several bridges, mills and a restaurant on the river where we ate lunch. We got to meet two of his uncles and their wives and were able to share breakfast with the entire family one morning. Wish we could have spent an extra couple of days at the farm. This was definitely a highlight of our adventure.