This species occurs mainly in East Africa, south to the eastern coastal regions of Mozambique and into Swaziland and Durban in South Africa. It is rare inland, but it is found in the northern and eastern highveld of Zimbabwe, and continues westward through northeast Namibia as far as 19°E on the Okavango River. There, it occurs in riparian broad-leafed woodland wherever nectar-bearing flowers occur. Records indicate it is a very rare visitor (5% reporting rate), occurring only between November and June and disappearing in winter. Its area of occupancy covers 7,100 km2, of which 28% falls within the protected areas of the Nkasa Rupara (Mamili) National Park and the Mahango area of the Bwabwata National Park. It is not considered threatened, although it may be locally impacted by wood clearing activities.