The demand for women-only retreats has doubled in the last five years. The venues equipped to host them properly have not.
This checklist is for facilitators — yoga teachers, women’s circle leaders, coaches, therapists, spiritual directors — planning a women-only retreat in the Moroccan Sahara. It covers the operational questions that make the difference between a retreat that works and one that unravels on day two.
Use it to evaluate venues. Use it to brief your operations lead. Use it as a conversation guide with whichever camp you choose.
1. Venue Non-Negotiables
Before you even discuss programming, the venue must clear these seven structural requirements:
- Full-property buyout available — no mixed bookings during your stay
- Enclosed perimeter or geographic isolation — no passers-by, no external guests
- Tent/room layout that clusters — guests walk through a contained area, not along a public path
- Private bathroom per accommodation — shared bathrooms break the modesty contract
- At least one indoor gathering space — for circle work on windy days or cold nights
- At least one outdoor gathering space — for sunrise practice and fire circles
- No drone overflight risk — either remote location or enforced no-fly policy
A venue that ticks five out of seven is not ready for your group. It will look beautiful on Instagram and fail in practice.
2. Staff Reconfiguration Questions to Ask
This is where most venues will tell you what you want to hear. Ask specifics:
- Can the front-of-house team be entirely female? (If yes: who, how many, where are they brought in from?)
- Where do male staff remain during guest hours? (Back-of-house, off-site, rotated in only at night?)
- Is the head chef for our stay male or female? (If it matters to your group)
- Who drives the 4x4 transfers? (Can you request a female driver? Most venues cannot offer this — be prepared)
- What does the staff briefing look like? (Is there a written protocol, or is it “we’ll sort it out”?)
If the venue hesitates on any of these, press harder. A camp that hosts women-only retreats regularly will answer each in detail without pause.
3. Modesty Protocols
Your participants’ comfort depends on these being in place before arrival:
- Tinted windows on transfer vehicles — from airport to camp
- Arrival flow that bypasses male staff — or that minimizes visual exposure
- Bathing/pool/hammam areas with full visual privacy — no sight lines from staff zones
- Photography policy in writing — no staff photos, no marketing photos, confirmed via email
- Drone protocol in writing — camp drones off, external drones prohibited
- Social media silence — no posting about the dates of your stay
4. Safety Considerations
Women-only retreats in remote locations raise particular safety considerations. Check these:
- Nearest hospital and evacuation route — know the distance and plan
- On-site medical training — at least one staff member with first-aid certification
- Satellite phone or reliable emergency communication — Wi-Fi is not enough
- Defibrillator on site — standard in top-tier camps
- Night lighting in accommodation zone — for late bathroom trips
- Snake and insect protocol — what happens if someone is bitten
- Female medical lead on call — for gynecological or reproductive issues
- Sanitary product stocks — on-site supply for participants who need them
5. Cultural and Religious Considerations
If your group includes Muslim, Jewish, Christian, or spiritually diverse participants, address these before arrival:
- Prayer direction (qibla) in each tent — marked or arranged on request
- Prayer rugs available — ideally provided
- Kosher, halal, vegetarian, vegan dietary options — confirmed at booking
- Quiet spaces for prayer/meditation — outside programmed time slots
- Holy day accommodations — Sabbath candles, Sunday services, Ramadan meals (if applicable)
- Religious music considerations — some groups prefer silence, others chant
6. Programming-Specific Logistics
Before your first session, confirm:
- Yoga mats, meditation cushions, blankets — how many, what condition, where stored
- Sound system — for music or recorded meditations (solar-powered?)
- Microphone for facilitation — in spaces with 14 participants
- Writing materials — journals, pens for contemplative work
- Candle availability — for evening circles
- Herbal tea variety — beyond the standard mint
- Sacred plant or ceremony considerations — if relevant to your practice (and legal in Morocco)
- Massage therapist availability — if you offer bodywork as part of the program
7. The Emotional Arc
Experienced facilitators will recognize this: women-only retreats have a predictable emotional arc, and the venue’s rhythm must support it.
- Day 1 — Arrival, orientation, setting the container. Guests need space to arrive.
- Day 2 — Nervous system begins to settle. Opening circle typically here. Grief often surfaces.
- Day 3 — Peak vulnerability. This is when participants may need more support. Ensure your venue can provide privacy for one-on-one conversations.
- Day 4 — Integration begins. The group deepens into itself. Programming can become less structured.
- Day 5 — Anticipation of return. Closing ceremony typically here.
- Day 6 — Gentle departure preparation.
- Day 7 — Return.
Does your venue have the space and staff to support a day-3 emotional surge? Ask specifically.
8. Contract and Legal Clarity
Before you pay a deposit:
- Signed contract with clear deliverables and cancellation terms
- NDA or confidentiality clause if relevant to your participants
- Insurance confirmation — venue’s liability and your own
- Force majeure clause — what happens if illness, weather, or events force cancellation
- Deposit refund schedule — typically 50% refundable up to 60 days out
- Final payment date — usually 30 days before arrival
- Single point of contact — name, phone, email of your direct coordinator
9. Communication Rhythm Pre-Arrival
The eight weeks before the retreat should include:
- Final menu sent for approval (2 weeks out)
- Participant dietary restrictions confirmed (2 weeks out)
- Transfer manifest shared (10 days out)
- Final headcount locked (7 days out)
- Bedroom allocation sent (7 days out)
- Final confirmation call between you and venue lead (3 days out)
10. The Quiet Things That Matter Most
Beyond the checklist, there are small things that consistently make or break a women’s retreat:
- A thoughtful welcome moment — flowers, a small gift, a handwritten note in the room
- Water and herbal tea always accessible — not requiring a staff request
- Quiet between sessions — no construction, no loud maintenance, no background music
- Staff who understand “space” — knowing when to be present and when to disappear
- Thoughtful sunset — the camp paused, tea ready, nothing to do but be there
- One staff member who is your group’s “mother figure” — someone attentive, kind, unhurried
Why Umnya Meets This Checklist
We built this checklist because we have hosted dozens of women-only retreats and we know what the shortcuts cost.
Umnya is a full-property buyout venue in Erg Chegaga, 90 km from the nearest road. We maintain a rotating team of six Moroccan women trained specifically for women-only retreats. Our full protocols for staff reconfiguration, modesty, discretion, and religious accommodation are detailed in our practical guide for Middle Eastern retreats (most of which applies to any women-only retreat regardless of religion).
For facilitators: we offer discounted familiarization stays so you can evaluate us against this checklist yourself before bringing a group.
Next Steps
- Inquire about dates: Host Your Retreat
- Contact us for our planning guide
- Message us directly: WhatsApp +212 600 666 616 — we reply in English, French, Arabic
Further reading:
