The Tskhenis Tskali river originates on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus in Lower Svaneti at an altitude of 2,710 meters above sea level. Flowing southwest, it joins the Rioni River near the town of Samtredia in Imereti.
In its lower course, the Tskhenis Tskali forms the border between Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti.
From an etymological standpoint, the name Tskhenis Tskali comes from the Georgian words ცხენი (Tskheni, “horse”) and წყალი (Tskali, “water”), meaning “horse water.”
In its upper course, the river’s energy is used for generating hydroelectric power, while closer to its confluence with the Rioni, it is used for irrigation.