[1] It originates near Ushguli in northeastern Svaneti and plays an important role providing hydroelectric power to the area.

The river emerges from the high Caucasus near the highest mountain in Georgia, Shkhara, and winds through the mountain valleys to the northwest before turning southwest to empty into the Black Sea near Anaklia.

The only legal crossing-point is the 870-metre (2,850 ft) long Enguri Bridge [ru], which was built by German prisoners of war from 1944 until 1948.

The river plays an important role in the Georgian energy production.

It has a capacity of 1.1 million cubic metres (39,000,000 cu ft) of water.