[2] It is widely distributed in the upland areas of Central and East Africa in Angola, northern Botswana, northern Zimbabwe, Zambia, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Throat of females is mottled with dark brown while that of mature males is finely and densely punctated with black.

[3] Phrynobatrachus parvulus occurs in humid savannas and grasslands (including montane ones), sometimes penetrating montane forest, at elevations mostly above 1,000 m (3,300 ft), and probably to at least 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level.

It also adapts to living in agricultural land, including in rice paddies.

Breeding takes place in grassy pools, puddles, and marshes.