Enjoy Africa in Ouarzazat

Morocco is the favoured opening into Africa for many travellers because of its relative closeness and lively, vibrant culture.

Its stimulating streets mean seasoned travellers are drawn back to it, while also making it the first port of call for many newbie backpackers.

One of the best places to stay in Morocco is Ouarzazat, in the south of the country, because it is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area and cities such as Marrakech, Zagora and Errachidia.

One of the most striking things about Ouarzazat is the wealth of jaw-dropping natural fixtures that surround it, with shimmering deserts and the Atlas mountains.

Indeed, many of the surroundings should be familiar to even those who have never travelled to Morocco before because Ouarzazat is a favourite location for many filmmakers, with films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Living Daylights and Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ.

In fact Scorsese was so taken by Ouarzazat that he revisited it in his film Kundun, about the Dalai Lama, when he was not allowed to shoot scenes in Tibet.

From Ouarzazat it is easy to explore the nearby Kasbahs, such as the one in Ait Benhadou, while it is also favoured as a launch pad for excursions into the Sahara Desert.

Or a short trip by car will take you to Zagora, which is reputedly the hottest town in Morocco, which while sweltering during the day, benefits from dazzlingly illuminated desert skies.

For a lazy break though, there are plenty of things to do for those who just want to hang around Ouarzazat, including Morocco's famously colourful and fragrant street markets, delicately spiced Moroccan meals and friendly locals. XXX