Riccardo Garbaccio purchased the idyllc piece of land that is now Kanyemba Lodge in late 1998, and started the process of building in 1999.
The choice at the time was to stray away from the fast & easy "safari tents" option and create something more traditional, natural and unique.
After 3 years, 6 stone and thatch chalets had been constructed, along with a very comfortable "chitenge" as a bar and eating area, and opened in time for the 2001 solar eclipse.

Later the "family unit" was added and negotiations for Kanyemba Island initiated. Kanyemba Island was bought at the end of 2006, and building of Kanyemba Island Bushcamp started in july 2007, and opened in November the same year.

All staff involved in the building of Kanyemba lodge are still involved in its running. All the furniture was also built at Kanyemba by its carpentry.