Part of the Debub Gondar Zone, Dera is bordered on the south and west by the Bahir Dar city,Zenzelma subcity located in Semien Gojjam zone,  on the west by Lake Tana, on the north by Fogera, on the northeast by Misraq Este, and on the east by Mirab Este.
Dera is situated within the Debub Gondar Zone, with borders defined by various geographical features and administrative divisions.