Study Tour A: Lesotho (Pre-tour) 11 to 15 May 2016

Transcription

1 Study Tour A: Lesotho (Pre-tour) 11 to 15 May 2016 Introduction This five day tour will take you through the Kingdom of Lesotho, home to the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. We will visit the impressive 185 m high concrete arch Katse Dam, 145 m high CFRD Mohale Dam, 80 m high RCC Metolong Dam, various transfer tunnels, and the 72 MW Muela Power Station. Lesotho also offers a rich cultural experience to which participants will be exposed by spending time at the Thaba Boshio Cultural Village, where you will be able to learn more about the local culture and purchase a coveted Lesotho blanket. En route back to Johannesburg we will spend one night in the charming town of Clarens, situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. This town will capture your heart with its amazing coffee shops and art galleries. This tour promises fantastic views of the countryside of both Lesotho and South Africa. Map (See Page 5 for detailed road map) 1

2 Special Note Delegates are advised to check Visa Requirements of South Africa (multiple entry) and Lesotho and must be in the possession of a valid passport. Itinerary Day 1 11 May Wednesday 08:00 Depart from Sandton Convention Centre. Tour participants will be advised of the pick-up arrangements via at a later stage. 13:00 Lunch in the small town of Clocolan, close to the border of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho. 14:30 Cross border into Lesotho and drive to Thabo Bosio Cultural Village and Lodge 15:30 Check in at Thabo Bosio Lodge and Cultural Village 16:00 Guided tour of Thabo Bosio Cultural Village followed by entertainment i.e. traditional dancers and games 18:00 At leisure 19:00 Dinner Day 2 12 May Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Depart for Metolong Dam 08:30 Visit the Metolong Dam, an 83 m high Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam The dam supplies water to Maseru (the capital of Lesotho) and its surroundings. The dam is situated on the South Phuthiatsana River. Associated infrastructure for the Metolong Dam and Water Supply Programme (MDWSP) includes a water treatment plant, pipelines, four pump stations, and two storage reservoirs serving Maseru and the neighbouring towns of Teyateyaneng, Mazenod, Morija and Roma. 10:30 Depart for Mohale Dam 12:30 Arrive Orion Mohale Lodge. Check in. 13:00 Lunch at Orion Mohale Lodge 14:00 Depart for Mohale Information Centre 14:30 Visit Mohale Dam, a 145 m high concrete rockfill dam (CFRD) The Mohale Dam forms part of Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP). The LHWP supplements the water supply in the Vaal River system (South Africa) and generates hydroelectricity 2

3 for Lesotho. Water stored in the series of dams constructed in Lesotho is transferred by gravitational flow via tunnels and enters the natural watercourse of the Ash River in the Eastern Free State. The LHWP can regulate the flow of water in the Orange River to the Lower Orange Catchment. 17:00 Arrive Orion Mohale Lodge. At leisure 19:00 Dinner at Orion Mohale Lodge Day 3 13 May Friday 07:30 Breakfast 09:00 Travel to Katse Dam via Thaba-Tseka, including comfort break 11:00 Presentation at Katse Information Centre 12:00 Arrive Orion Katse Lodge. Check in at lodge. 13:00 Lunch at Orion Katse Lodge 14:30 Katse Dam Visit The Katse Dam forms part of Phase 1A of the LHWP. The main features of Phase 1 A is summarised as follows: Katse Dam 185 m high double curvature concrete arch; 710 m along the crest; 2.32 million m³ of concrete used in the dam wall which is 60 m thick at the base and 9 m at the crest; reservoir storage capacity of million m³; 38.5 km² surface area; Intake Tower 99 m high, standing 77 m deep in the water; 16 km upstream in Katse Dam, 88 m³/s intake capacity; Transfer Tunnel 45 km long concrete lined tunnel; 4.35 m internal diameter; Underground hydropower station three 24 MW turbines; longest headrace in the world; Muela Dam 55 m high double curvature concrete arch; 6 million m³ capacity; intake for delivery tunnel; Delivery Tunnel South 15 km long; contains flow-measuring devices; Delivery Tunnel North 22 km long; lined with pre-cast concrete segments; and Ash River Outfall Concrete outlet structure to channel and dissipate water energy. Water delivery started in January 1998 and hydropower delivery commenced in January :30 Tour of the Katse Botanical Gardens The garden is a world-class repository for the plants rescued from the Katse and Mohale dams, where these species and their offspring are preserved for future generations. It is a centre of excellence whose trained staff is able to provide professional support to the government of Lesotho in meeting its obligations in terms of international treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).The garden is an active member of the regional community of botanical gardens. It is a prime tourist attraction and also attracts many research projects and serves as a training ground for botanical researchers from Lesotho, the region and the world. The garden runs an active outreach programme for local highland communities and assists them to establish village gardens. 17:30 At leisure 3

4 19:00 Dinner at Orion Katse Lodge Day 4 14 May Saturday 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Travel from Katse Dam to Muela Dam and Hydropower Station. Brief stops en route at Matsoku Weir, Malibamatso bridge, Transfer Tunnel Intake, including a comfort break at Bokong visitor centre, brief stop at Mafika Lisiu viewpoint, via Leribe & Butha Buthe to Muela Dam 12:00 Lunch and visit of Muela Dam The Muela Hydropower Station is situated mid-way between the Katse Dam in Lesotho and the Ash River Outfall in South Africa. The powerhouse houses three Francis Turbines that use water transferred from the Katse and Mohale Dams through the Katse Intake Tower to generate 72 MW of electricity for domestic and export purposes. Before the station was built, Lesotho was 100% dependent on South Africa for electricity. After generation of electricity, water exits from the three 24 MW turbines into the Muela Tailpond, a 55 metre high dam which provides the headwater for the continuation of water delivery to South Africa. This dam has an intake tower which first takes water into the Delivery Tunnel South which is connected with the Delivery Tunnel. 14:00 Depart to Clarens (including border post) 17:00 Arrive at Protea Hotel Clarens 19:00 Dinner at Protea Hotel Clarens Day 5 15 May Sunday 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Visit town of Clarens Delegates will have the morning free in the town of Clarens. Clarens is known for its spectacular sandstone mountains and is one of the most picturesque spots in South Africa. The town has recently been acclaimed as the best Trout Fishing waters in the country. There are numerous activities and places to visit, which includes art galleries, pottery, leatherwork, candles and ethnic art. 12:30 Depart for Johannesburg Lunch will be served in Bethlehem en route to Johannesburg. 18:00 Arrive in Sandton The tour ends in Johannesburg, where after delegates are free to explore the rest of the region or depart home. 4

5 Mohale Dam Cultural Village at Thaba Bosiu Metolong Dam Katse Dam 5

6 Road Map 6