Its natural habitats are subtropical dry shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and sandy shores.

The type location is Port Nolloth, and this mole's habitat is coastal sand dunes and nearby sandy areas.

As with other golden moles, this species is thought to be very difficult to study or physically observe due to its subterranean nature, although the rarity of C. wintoni makes it even harder to document, in addition to its close resemblance to other, more common golden moles.

[6][7] De Winton's golden mole was rediscovered in 2023 using data and samples from surveys conducted in 2021, including environmental DNA, burrow traces, and sniffer dogs.

The findings pointed to a healthy population of De Winton's golden mole in the area.