In Ethiopia, this species is restricted to a zone of bush, thicket and shrubby deciduous woodlands dominated by species of the genera Acacia, Commiphora, Grewia, Cordia, Euphorbia and Sterculia (Kingdon and Van Rompaey 2013). Like the Common Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula), with which they are broadly sympatric, they use termitaria and stony outcrops as dens.

This species is patchily distributed in the Horn of Africa region, being present in southern and southeastern Ethiopia, southern Somalia and northern Kenya (Kingdon and Van Rompaey 2013). Laurent and Laurent (2002) reported this species from Djibouti (although this requires confirmation). A single, uncertain sighting in Mkomazi, Tanzania, might extend the species' known range into the northeastern parts of Tanzania (Kingdon and Van Rompaey 2013). They occur up to around 600 m asl in Ethiopia (Yalden et al. 1980, 1996).

This species is present in several protected areas across its range.