Farm Story
We had a dream- to raise an original, interesting animal and not for food purposes.
We wondered all the way to the Andes Mountains in South America, which rise over 4,000m above sea level. In the Andes we first met the charming llamas and alpacas. The alpacas, which looked like a combination of graceful deer with wooly sheep (but are actually miniature camels), captured our hearts immediately. It was love at first sight and that is how the idea of bringing them to Israel started.
For months we traveled between the villages in the mountains where
Indians who are descendents of the famous Inca live. We learned that the
alpacas had a key role in the economy and culture of the Inca empire.
They milked the alpacas, knitted clothes from their fine wool to protect
the people from the piercing cold, the llamas were used as beasts of
burden and even as sacrifices to the gods.
We picked out and bought the finest alpacas and llamas we saw and
once we had a nice herd we all flew together in a special flight back
home.
In Israel we searched for a suitable place; high, arid, cool beautiful and spacious. In the Negev highlands, where three wadis, scattered with 2,000 yr. old nabatians terraces, intersect, we built the alpaca farm.
We soon found out that the natural charm of the animals and the colorful activity in the farm, combined with the idea of a settlement in the midst of the highlands and the beautiful landscapes, created an attractive site for visitors of all ages from all around Israel and the world. Up to date we had over one million visitors in our farm!
We found out that the existing wool spinneries cannot process the alpaca wool, which is much finer and has many more different colors than the sheep wool. We then established in the farm the wool hut where we spin our wool.
The location right in the heart of the unspoiled Negev highlands, the beautiful desert scenery, the rare geological phenomena of the craters and the rich history, make the farm an ideal starting point for desert horse rides. We purchased wild horses and trained them for the desert rides. Our horses won national and international titles but are also known for their good temper.
Today we raise a herd of llamas and alpacas, horses, donkeys, angora sheep and many more animals. The whole process of the wool production takes place in the farm- the raising of the animals, the shearing and the spinning of the wool- and that makes the farm one of its kind in the world!
We will be very happy to have you in our farm!
The Dvir family, the llamas and the alpacas.