Rooiels (also spelled Rooi-Els or Rooi Els) is a settlement in Overberg District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was declared a township in June 1948, and is situated 5 km north of Pringle Bay, on the eastern shore of False Bay.[2] It was named after the farm and river of the same name, which were named after the red alder tree known as rooiels in Afrikaans.[2]

It is situated beside the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and is itself a registered conservancy.[3] The town roads are narrow, un-tarred and without street lights. Klein-Hangklip mountain dominates the village, and is home to a pair of Verreaux's eagles. Other animals that may be noted are chacma baboons, rock hyrax, small antelope, African clawless otters and occasionally caracal and leopard.[3]

  • Klein-Hangklip on the eastern edge of False Bay as seen from Rooi-Els
    Klein-Hangklip on the eastern edge of False Bay as seen from Rooi-Els
  • A whirlpool between the large rocks characteristic for the coast line
    A whirlpool between the large rocks characteristic for the coast line
  • Surf causing high breaking waves at the coastal rocks
    Surf causing high breaking waves at the coastal rocks

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Main Place Rooi-Els". Census 2011.
  2. ^ a b Raper, P.E. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names.
  3. ^ a b "Accommodation in Rooi-Els". Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  • Note: Another river by this name is situated near Knysna in the southern Cape. The red alder tree does not currently occur near Rooi-Els.

External links