The Gushiegu District is a relatively young district, carved out of the then Eastern Dagomba district.  It is located in the north-eastern part of the Northern Region. It is the third largest district in the region. Gushiegu, the district capital, is about 105 kilometres north-east of Tamale, the regional capital.

The district shares boundaries with the East and West Mamprusi Districts to the north Yendi District, to the south, Saboba/Chereponi District to the east and Savelugu / Nanton District to the west.