One of the smallest of the sunbird tribe, this species is virtually endemic to South Africa, with a tiny distribution extending into Namibia across the Orange River. It prefers fynbos vegetation, but is also found in the semi-arid Karoo and along rivers, explaining its presence along the length of the Orange River in Namibia. Small numbers are also seen occasionally in gardens in Lüderitz. It occurs at densities of 150 to 200 birds per km2 in South Africa, but densities and total population size is unknown in Namibia.