Located in the Gamo Gofa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, 37 kilometers north of Arba Minch, Chencha has a longitude and latitude of 6°15′N 37°34′E / 6.250°N 37.567°E / 6.250; 37.567 and an elevation of 2732 meters above sea level.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia published in 2005, Chencha has an estimated total population of 10,488 consisting of 4,750 men and 5,738 women.

Chencha had been the capital of Gamo-Gofa province until those offices were transferred to the more accessible city of Arba Minch in 1962.

Chencha is a temperate climate zone with the potential and current production capacity of fruits and vegetables, different kinds of root plants, cereals, and timber trees.

Dejazmach Beyene Merid had established his seat as governor of Gamo-Gofa at Chencha by 1935, when he was visited by missionaries and a German expedition.