Part of the Mirab Welega Zone, Gawo Dale was bordered on the south by Hawa Welele, on the west by Jimma Gidami, on the northwest by Begi, on the north by Jarso, on the northeast by Ayra Guliso, on the east by Dale Lalo, and on the southeast by the Illubabor Zone.
The administrative center of this woreda was Kake; other towns in Gawo Dale included Chanka.
Elevations in this woreda range from 1150 to 3330 meters above sea level; the highest point is Guri Maryam.
Important crops produced include corn, sorghum, finger millet, sesame, pepper, and navy beans.
The majority of the inhabitants observed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 46.09% reporting that as their religion, while 28.77% were Muslim, and 24.49% Protestant.