It is endemic to Ethiopia and only known from a small area southeast of Lake Tana, in the upper reaches of the Blue Nile.

There are numerous small dark brown blotches arranged in rows along the skin folds, except for the outermost ones.

A dark streak passes from snout tip through the eye and the tympanum, ending behind the forelimb insertion.

[2] Ptychadena wadei is known from montane grassland and shrubland at elevations of 1,800–1,850 m (5,910–6,070 ft) above sea level.

[1] Threats to this species are poorly known, but it is likely to be affected by habitat degradation, primarily caused by agricultural development, expanding human settlements, and overgrazing by livestock.