When entrepreneur Sheila Kyarisiima opened the Pinnacle Kigali in January 2026, she set out to redefine what luxury hospitality can look like in Rwanda’s capital. Set on a hill in the quiet neighborhood of Rebero, about 20 minutes by car from central Kigali, the nine-room boutique hotel and members club blends panoramic city views, boldly colored and patterned interiors, and a personal art collection spotlighting artists from across the African continent. What began as a private family retreat evolved into a five-year passion project aimed at raising the bar for luxury stays in Kigali—particularly for travelers passing through the country en route to such nature-based experiences as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Born in Uganda to Rwandan and Ugandan parents, Kyarisiima studied civil engineering at Brown University before beginning her career at Goldman Sachs. She later returned to East Africa with a vision: to build something globally competitive yet distinctly rooted in the region’s culture. The result is a statement piece for Kigali’s hospitality scene and a distinctly African vision of luxury, brought to life through vibrant design and a women-led creative team.
We spoke with Kyarisiima about returning home to build the project, rethinking what luxury means in Africa, and why Kigali deserves more than a quick overnight stop.
What was the catalyst that caused you to transition what was initially a family retreat into a boutique hotel?
Bright tropical flavors meet relaxed lounge vibes at The Pinnacle Kigali, where dishes like lemon custard pavlova with mango and passion fruit are served steps from the hotel’s stylish bar.
Photos by Ariel Nyembo
At the core, it was about coming back home and building something excellent and globally competitive in East Africa. Even when the Pinnacle was meant to be a private retreat, it was inspired by the luxury my husband and I had experienced in our travels and by the idea of creating a real statement piece on the continent.
Part of it was also pushing back against the sentiment you sometimes hear when people travel in parts of Africa—that something is “nice for Africa,” as if luxury here should be measured by a different standard. I wanted to challenge that thinking and show that a property here can stand on the same level as luxury anywhere else, while still being deeply rooted in our culture.
We also wanted to change the narratives often told about Africa. So often the stories focus on what’s lacking, but the continent has immense cultural wealth, societal wealth, and creativity. The Pinnacle was our way of celebrating that while contributing to Rwanda’s hospitality landscape.
Before you built Pinnacle Kigali, what did you feel was missing from the city’s hotel scene, and how does Pinnacle fill that need?
If you look at the general hotel offerings within the city, there are a lot of large brand names, but an independent, African-owned and -run property is missing. There definitely are a few other small boutiques, but they aren’t at the ultra-luxury level. If you’re looking for boutique luxury, there’s a wide gap. So that’s our addition. It’s very much homegrown and embodies what it means to be Rwandan and what it means to be in East Africa.
While developing and running the hotel, where do you feel like being a woman in the hospitality space helped shape your success and your decision making?
In many African households, including my own, hospitality has always centered around women—mothers, wives, daughters—who create spaces where people feel welcomed and cared for. That’s something I draw from deeply from my upbringing and from the community of women who poured into me. It’s not about obligation, but about community and the joy of making people feel good.
At the Pinnacle, I try to bring that spirit into the guest experience. I want people to feel the same warmth you feel when visiting family—the kind of place where you leave already looking forward to coming back. There’s a nurturing aspect to how I approach the project, and I’m happy to lean into that so guests feel at home.
Tell us about the design of the hotel—who is behind it, and what was the vision?
The “Golden Guild” guest room at The Pinnacle Kigali, one of nine individually designed rooms that reflect the founders’ travels and the hotel’s vibrant, African-rooted design.
Photo by Ariel Nyembo
I worked with an entirely female design team: South African architect Marinda Bjørnstad, along with interior designers Nicky MacDonald of GemTree Interiors and Paige Waplington of Redesign Interior Design Studio. From the beginning, the idea was to create something inspirational and lasting that could stand for generations.
Although we initially conceived the property as a family estate, we designed it from day one to also function as a boutique hotel. I wanted it to feel like a luxurious home away from home, with each space offering a different experience rather than every room looking the same. Many of the rooms are inspired by cities and places that have shaped our lives.
Which elements are specifically Rwandan in origin?
We incorporated several works by Rwandan artists throughout the property. In one of the restaurants ,there’s a sculpture by artist Chris Schwaga, and in our gallery he created a series of nine sculptural pieces that reflect important cultural symbols: the shield, which represents protection; the beads traditionally worn by women; and the cow, a symbol of prosperity in Rwandan culture. He also designed the custom full-length mirrors in the guest rooms.
We also feature sculptural works from the Rwandan art collective 42nd Street, including facial sculptures inspired by traditional hairstyles. Another highlight is a wall of woven baskets created by Irebe, a woman-owned Rwandan basket-weaving company.
What was the biggest challenge in creating the hotel?
One of the biggest challenges was logistics. Because Rwanda is landlocked, many materials had to be imported, and delays or complications were common. At one point even a shipment carrying materials for the project was attacked by pirates.
Those challenges made the project even more meaningful. Every detail required extra effort, which meant nothing could be overlooked. In the end, the entire hotel became a true labor of love.
Given that your base is in Nairobi, Kenya, what convinced you that Kigali, rather than Nairobi or another regional capital, was the right place for Pinnacle?
We were thinking strategically about where we could have the most impact. Cities like Nairobi already have a broader range of hospitality offerings, while Kigali still has room for something new.
Over the past decade, Rwanda has also invested heavily in its MICE strategy [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] and that investment is paying off. Kigali now hosts major gatherings like the Basketball Africa League finals, the Giants of Africa festival, and the Africa CEO Forum.
With more people coming for conferences and cultural events, there’s a growing energy around fashion, food, art, and culture that makes Kigali an exciting place to build something like the Pinnacle.
Many travelers see Kigali as a gateway to parks like Volcanoes National Park rather than a destination in its own right. Why should they spend a few extra days in Kigali before visiting the mountains?
Views from The Pinnacle Kigali’s rooftop bar alongside a quiet moment by the hotel’s saltwater infinity pool, where guests can read, relax, and take in panoramic views of the city.
Photos by Ariel Nyembo
A visit to Kigali helps travelers understand Rwanda beyond the wildlife experience. The city provides context for the history, culture, and the people that shape the country. You can visit the gorillas and leave with an incredible wildlife encounter, but without time in Kigali you miss the deeper sense of place.
Kigali is where you feel the heartbeat of Rwanda, through its art, culture, and the energy of a country that continues to evolve.
Do you plan to partner with some of the luxury lodges near Volcanoes National Park to offer combined experiences?
The gorilla trekking market largely works through travel advisors and tour operators, so we’ve focused on building relationships with local operators and luxury lodges, while also connecting with international advisors through trade shows. When travelers are planning a Rwanda itinerary, we want them to think about both Kigali and the mountains.
Guests can also book directly with us, and we’ll coordinate the rest, including gorilla permits, transportation, and lodge stays through our partners. Our clientele overlaps closely with travelers staying at ultra-luxury lodges like Singita, One&Only, and Bisate, so those collaborations feel very natural.
Many travelers to Rwanda have heard of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which honors the more than 250,000 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people. Beyond that, what cultural experiences should visitors seek out in Kigali?
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is essential for understanding Rwanda’s history and the country’s story of rebuilding. Beyond that, culture shows up in everyday traditions. Milk and cattle have long been part of Rwandan heritage, and the rise of milk bars around the city reflects that tradition.
Artisan crafts are another important cultural thread. Basket weaving, textile work, and artisan cooperatives offer a meaningful way to experience local creativity while connecting with the people behind it.
What are your favorite spots in Kigali?
Colorful woven baskets at Irene Baskets in Kigali, one of the local artisan shops highlighting Rwanda’s long tradition of basket weaving.
Photo by Ariel Nyembo
I love supporting what’s happening locally, especially in fashion and artisan spaces. I often visit boutiques like Haute Baso, Sonia Mugabo, and House of Tayo, which showcase designers building their brands in Kigali. I also enjoy browsing for fabrics downtown and having traditional pieces made by local tailors.
For art and crafts, places like 42nd Street and Irebe Baskets are great, and the Nyamirambo Women’s Center is especially meaningful, where you can learn basket weaving there while supporting a women’s cooperative.
For coffee, I like Question Coffee and Kivu Noir, and for restaurants I enjoy Kultura for Asian fusion and Afrika Bite for African cuisine. If you want nature in the city, Nyandungu Eco-Park is beautiful for walking, bird-watching, or cycling.
Are there annual cultural events travelers should plan a trip around? How does the city change during those times?
The biggest cultural event is Kwita Izina, Rwanda’s gorilla naming ceremony near Volcanoes National Park. Inspired by the traditional ceremony for naming newborn children, it celebrates newly born gorillas with drumming, dancing, and cultural performances, drawing visitors from around the world.
In Kigali itself, newer events like Kigali Fashion Week and Kigali Arts Festival are helping shape the city’s creative scene. The Basketball Africa League finals also bring a vibrant energy to the city, with days of parties, fashion events, and celebrations around the games.
What kind of experience do you want visitors to have in Kigali?
I want people to leave Kigali feeling inspired. When you understand Rwanda’s history and how far the country has come, the story of renewal is incredibly powerful.
I also want visitors to feel rested. Kigali moves at a gentler pace, and staying at the Pinnacle, either at the beginning or end of a trip, gives travelers time to relax and reset.
Most importantly, I want guests to experience what authentically Rwandan luxury looks like. Luxury doesn’t have to look the same everywhere, and here it reflects our culture, creativity, and sense of place.
