The Bawku West district is located in the north-eastern section of the Upper East Region.  Zebilla is the district capital.  It is bordered to the north by the Republic of Burkina Faso, to the east by the Bawku East District, to the west by the Bolgatanga District and to the south by the East Mamprusi District.

Significantly, two tributaries of the Volta River namely the White Volta and the Red Volta run contiguous to the districts eastern and western boundaries respectively. There is a strong relationship between the geology and the relief of the district.