It can be found in hot deserts in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.

It was described as a new species in 1912 by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas.

Thomas decided that the taxa was so distinct, it warranted the description of a new genus, Cistugo.

The Angolan hairy bat is the type species for Cistugo.

It is typically documented in arid areas with less than 100 mm (3.9 in) of annual rainfall.