This species is virtually endemic to South Africa's Great and Little Karoo, but its predilection for Karoo rivers means that it has a strong and continuous population along the entire Orange River from the mouth at 16.5°E to about 26°E. The distribution along the Orange River is somewhat separate from the remaining distribution, with a reporting rate of 11% in Namibia. It occupies an area of 5,700 km2 in Namibia, of which 16% occurs within the protected areas of the /Ai-/Ais and Tsau//Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) national parks.