The name “Ouarzazate” actually comes from the Berber phrase which means “without noise” or “without confusion” and indeed, there is no confusion on the place that Ouarzazate has on the Morocco travel map. The Ouarzazate though hosts Atlas Studios, one of the world’s largest movie studios. Historical movies were shot there including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven, and Babel.

Even with Atlas Studios, however, Ouarzazate is mentioned for the most part in Morocco travel information for its closeness to the Atlas Mountains and the Draa Valley. Not surprisingly, tourists merely take a stop there and move on to the other items in their tours to Morocco itinerary and other stops in their Morocco adventure travel.

The Dar Karma perfectly complements Ouarzazate’s place in vacation in Morocco. I stayed overnight at the Dar Karma on the way to the Atlas mountains and I felt it was the perfect setting for the journey ahead. From Dar Kamar, it is possible to organize expeditions to other African countries.

The House of Moon

Dar Kamar actually means "the House of the Moon". The hotel is actually located within the old Ouarzazate Kasbah of Taourirt, and sits right on the edge of the Moroccan desert. It presents itself as a charming little hotel and, indeed, it is. Ouarzazate Kasbah. It was actually a pasha Glaoui courthouse before it was restored and turned into the charming hotel that it is now.

A Mobile Hotel?

I was surprised to know that the Dar Kamar actually offers the mobile hotel for sand dune travelers like me. With the mobile hotel, groups of travelers can actually go to the most unknown places without having to worry about accommodations. The mobile hotel has 12 rooms composed of tents. In addition, each room is fully furbished with flooring, and two windows. A metallic frame ensures that the tents are still in shape even in the wake of sandstorm.