It starts at the confluence of Genfel and Sulluh (which rises in the mountains of Mugulat) (3,298 metres above sea level) and flows westward to the Tekezé River.

It is a confined river, locally meandering in its narrow alluvial plain, with a slope gradient of 7 metres per kilometre.

Peak discharges up to 1740 m³ per second occur in the second part of the rainy season (month of August) when there are strong rains and the soils are saturated with water in many places.

The highest sediment concentrations occur at the beginning of the rainy season, when loose soil and dust is washed away by overland flow and ends up in the river.

[4] As such water contains many nutrients (locally it is called "aygi"), farmers estimate that it strengthens their cattle, which they will bring to the river.

All measurements were done at a purposively installed stations, on Giba and Tanqwa rivers, just upstream of their junction, in the years 2006 and 2007.

At Gemgema, Afedena, May Be'ati and on many other steep slopes, exclosures have been established; the dense vegetation largely contributes to enhanced infiltration, less flooding and better baseflow.

The valley bottoms in the gorge of this river, for instance at Inda Mihtsun, have been identified as a transhumance destination zone.