This species has been recorded from montane tropical moist forest, and to a lesser extent from moist savanna (Koopman 1989, Koopman et al. 1995, Grubb et al. 1998, Weber and Fahr 2007, Denys et al. 2013, Monadjem et al. 2016) or high-elevation grasslands (Decher et al. 2010, Denys et al. 2013, Monadjem et al. 2016). It appears to use riverine forests and forested ravines (Decher et al. 2010, Decher et al. 2015). Animals are usually found roosting in caves or mine adits, however, two were found in hollow trees (Böhme and Hutterer 1978, Grubb et al. 1998, Weber and Fahr 2007, Monadjem et al. 2016). In the Simandou Mountains of Guinea, this species was captured near large boulders, which it may have been using to roost (Decher et al. 2015). Pregnant females have been found in March and December.

This West African bat has been patchily recorded from fewer than 20 localities (cave/mine roosts) in southern Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire. Rhinolophus guineensis is generally a highland species recorded at elevations of 900–1,500 m asl and over (Grubb et al. 1998, Denys et al. 2013, Decher et al. 2015, Monadjem et al. 2016), although it has also been found as low as 600 m asl (Decher et al. 2015). It is suspected to be present in Gambia in remnant patches of forest (Grubb et al. 1998) and in Guinea-Bissau.

This species has been recorded from the Mount Nimba World Heritage Site (a portion of which is currently being mined on the Guinea side) and the "Massif du Ziama" Biosphere Reserve, both in Guinea. It has also been recorded from a few state forests ("Forêts Classées") in Guinea. There is a need to conserve remaining areas of suitable habitat for this species. Further studies are needed to better determine the species range.