Part of the East Hararghe Zone, Malka Balo is bordered on the west by the West Hararghe Zone, on the north by Deder, on the northeast by Bedeno, and on the southeast by Gola Odana Meyumuluke; part of the boundary with the West Hararghe Zone is defined by the Galetti River.

The administrative center for this woreda is Jaja; other towns include Bareda,Harawacha and Harew.

The altitude of this woreda ranges from 960 to 2930 meters above sea level; Adem Gedi Burqa is the highest point.

A survey of the land in this woreda shows that 17.3% is arable or cultivable, 5.6% pasture, 12.9% forest, and the remaining 64.2% is considered degraded, built-up or otherwise unusable.

[1] Coffee is also an important cash crop; over 50 square kilometers are planted with it.