[3][4][5] The species is endemic to eastern and southern Africa, and bears the distinction of being the world's largest typhlopid.

[1][6] A. schlegelii is found in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, southern Mozambique, northern Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, southern Sudan, Tanzania, northern Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

[1] Three distinct color phases of A. schlegelii are found: uniform, blotched, or striped.

[2] The snout is very prominent, with a sharp horizontal cutting edge, below which are located the nostrils.

[7] Afrotyphlops schlegelii is found in a variety of habitats, from sandveld to coastal bush.