Rooi Els is a quiet rural small village of 150 permanent residents which grows significantly during holiday periods. The village is a conservancy which forms part of the greater Koggelberg Biosphere, a UNESCO proclaimed area which protects the local Fynbos floral kingdom. The coast, ocean and adjacent mountains are controlled by the Western Cape Nature Conservation Department but still forms part of a popular tourist area.

Weather is best described as Coastal Mediterranean Climate, seldom really cold nor hot. Summers, mainly sunny and windy while winter is cool with alternating sunny and rainy days.

Wild animals are still in our village, seals and otter in the ocean and river, small antelope, porcupine, leopard, caracal in the adjacent mountains. A troop of baboons also frequent the village and our home has barred windows to keep baboons outside where they belong.

Our village can only support one small shop and a popular pub. Restaurants and larger shops are in located in the adjacent town of Pringle Bay (7 km / 10 min). For shopping malls, wine farms, golf courses visit Somerset West / Stellenbosch (36 km / 45 minutes) along the R44 a coastal drive with beautiful mountain and sea vistas.