It is the headquarters of Wokha District and is located about 75 km north of the state capital Kohima.

Wokha literally means head count or census in Lotha language.

Wokha was made as the district headquarters of the Naga hills under Assam by the British in 1876.

After India's independence, Wokha became a sub division in 1957 under Naga Hills Tuensang Area, and remained so till she became a district in 1973.

Wokha is on the main route from Kohima to Mokokchung and was one of the earliest locations of the Assam Rifles.

The annual Amur falcon migration passes Doyang Dam, which is a 2-hour drive away.