Rooi Els

• Province: Western Cape
• Overberg
• Coordinates:34°18′05″S 18°48′59″E
• Area:1.15 km2
• Municipality: Overstrand

Rooi Els lies along the R44 coastal route on the Whale Coast, east of Pringle Bay, and west of Betty’s Bay. The village sits at the foot of the Kogelberg mountains, with direct access to the rocky shoreline and the Atlantic Ocean. It forms part of the Overstrand Local Municipality.

History of Rooi-Els

Rooi-Els means red alder in Afrikaans. It is at the foot of the Hangklip mountain, next to the Koggelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is named after the river, and the farm of the same name was declared as a township in 1948, yet it remains quiet and relatively undeveloped.

Rooi Els shows evidence of early Khoekhoe settlement. Caves on the slopes of Klein Hangklip were later used as a refuge by runaway slaves.

The village lies along Clarence Drive on the Cape Whale Coast. Roads are narrow and mostly unpaved, with no street lighting. Klein Hangklip dominates the landscape, and wildlife such as Verreaux’s eagles, baboons, rock hyrax and small antelope occur in the area. See the guide to Western Cape Wildlife

With only narrow dirt roads and no streetlights. Most services and amenities are available in nearby Pringle Bay.

The postcode here is 7196 (Boxes only)

WEATHER IN ROOI ELS TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Rooi Els

Things to see and do in Rooi-Els

• Stony Point is close by inBetty’s Bay, where you can watch penguins at play
  Angling and shellfish diving along the coast. However, a permit is required for the harvesting of any marine life. See Resources
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• On the north bank of the River is the Rooiels Cave, where Stone Age relics have been found
• -The Koggelberg trail
•  The Palmiet River Walk
• Rooi Els has great birdwatching opportunities; see this comprehensive Western Cape bird guide.
• -Clarence drive 

Useful Numbers

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities

• Emergency Services

• Police: Kleinmond – 028 271 8200 Kleinmond Police 028 271 8200/082 576 2785
• Fire:072129 9788
• Ambulance:028 425 1907 (10777)

• Medical

• Closest hospital; Hermanus Prov.-028 312 1166
• Mediclinic Hermanus-028 313 0168
• Pharmacy;Alpha Pharm – Kleinmond-028 271 3320

• Municipal & Utilities

• Overstrand Municipality    028 313 8000
• Municipality ; Kleinmond-028 271 8400
• Electricity: Eskom- 086 003 7566

• Transport & Roads

• Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
• Traffic Control: 028 313 8111 or 313 8165 

• Community & Safety

• (Rooiels Security Association)Tel: 028 273 8089
• SPCA: Kleinmond Animal Welfare Society-028 271 5004
• (NSRI) 082 380 3800
  Hermanus NSRI 028 312 3180
• 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.

• Local Contacts and Community Resources

• Post office; Bettys Bay 028 272 9363
• Library: Bettys Bay-028 272 9263
• Ratepayers association