The name Zola Lodge literally means “Peaceful Lodge” or “Lodge of Tranquility”, as the word Zola in the African languages Xhosa and Zulu means “rest”, “peace”, or “calm”. It evokes a sense of relaxation, balance, and harmony — perfectly matching the atmosphere we want our guests to experience. A chance to escape the daily hustle and fully unwind at Zola Lodge, surrounded by beautiful nature or while enjoying the sauna. Zola Lodge is a uniquely luxurious holiday home, equipped with all modern comforts. It features a cozy living room with a relaxing sofa, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom with toilet, sink, walk-in shower, and a large sauna, as well as a bedroom with a double Auping bed and a fully enclosed private garden. Breakfast and meal services are available upon request. We’ll be happy to provide more details after your booking. The cost for using the sauna is fifteen euros per day, but only if used.

In 2024, our long-held dream came true: three months of traveling through Southern Africa. Three months of living in the moment and enjoying the open space, no obligations, peace, breathtaking nature, and heartwarming encounters… an experience that lives on inside us and one we will never forget. It was also a journey that brought us many new insights. After this incredible adventure, we — Maaike and Aart — returned to the Netherlands knowing one thing for sure: we wanted a place with more space and closer to nature. We gave up our wonderful home in the Randstad for this special place in Rucphen — right on the edge of the Roosendaal woods and next to the Rucphen heath, yet also near the lively centers of Roosendaal, Breda, and Antwerp. It’s a place where we can head straight into the forest with our dog, explore the Rucphen heath, and enjoy countless cycling opportunities. A place where we watch the sun rise over the fields in the morning and see it slowly set again in the evening. And this wonderful place offered the opportunity to create a guest accommodation. So that’s exactly what we did. How special it is to be able to let others enjoy this unique location in the heart of nature.

Zola Lodge is located in the municipality of Rucphen, right on the edge of Roosendaal, in a wooded area where you can walk and cycle for hours through the Rucphen forests and across the Rucphen heath. The center of Roosendaal is just a stone’s throw away, and Breda and Rotterdam are also easily accessible. Zola Lodge is also very close to the Belgian border, making places like Essen, Kalmthout, and Antwerp easy to reach. The Rucphen Forests are ideal for a wonderful walk. This unique landscape is perfect not only for walking, but also for cycling and horseback riding. Numerous trails wind through dense pine forests, expansive sand plains, deciduous woods, heathlands, and grassy fields. Routes can be followed via the junction system (knooppuntensysteem) as well as marked hiking paths. The Rucphen Forests clearly show how the clay soils of the region gradually transition into sandy soils. Polders give way to forests and heaths, and the landscape changes significantly.