[4] Duthie's golden mole is endemic to South Africa where it only occurs in a coastal strip about 275 km (170 mi) in length to the west of Port Elizabeth.

The western and larger population is between Wilderness and Tsitsikamma, where it occurs in Southern Afrotemperate Forests, largely located within national parks.

[2] This mole digs an underground nest under the base of a tree, and creates shallow passages radiating out into the surrounding area.

The main threat it faces is from destruction of its habitat by coastal development and urbanization, which may lead to populations being further fragmented.

Other threats include predation by domestic cats and dogs, persecution by gardeners and farmers, timber felling and replacement of native forests by plantation crops.