Stiegler's Gorge (Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station)
Stiegler's Gorge
A narrow gorge where the Rufiji River cuts through the mountains. It now holds the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, the largest in East Africa, and the reservoir has changed the gorge's original appearance.
Stiegler's Gorge is a canyon about 100 meters deep, carved by the Rufiji River through the hills. It was named after the Swiss explorer Stiegler, who was trampled to death by an elephant here in 1907, and it was once a famous landscape in the western part of the reserve. Construction of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project began here in 2019. The dam is about 130 meters high with an installed capacity of 2,115 megawatts, and filling began in 2022. The upstream gorge is now submerged by the reservoir, and downstream water conditions have also changed. The area is now dominated by engineering structures. Whether it is open to visitors and whether viewing is possible should be confirmed in advance with the camp or the park. It should not be treated as a dedicated destination.
Opening hours
Subject to park and project management rules