[4] Common names Balfour's reed frog and Ethiopia reed frog have been coined for this species, with the latter name referring to the now-synonymized Hyperolius zavattarii.

[2] Populations from the western part of the range may be referred to the subspecies Hyperolius balfouri viridistriatus.

The dorsum is yellow to brown with thin, dark dorsolateral stripes.

In the eastern populations these are shorter, extending 2/3 down the body, whereas in the western populations the lines are green and better developed; often a dark middorsal line, sometimes split into spots, is present.

Males possess a large, flat, somewhat shagreened gular flap and small asperities on the dorsum.