It was described as subspecies of the Ogilby's duiker (Cephalophus ogilbyi) by Peter Grubb in 1978.

[2] After a revision of the ungulates in 2011 by Colin Groves, it is now regarded as distinct species.

It runs from the shoulders to the rump, where it narrowed to 1 cm and extended to the tail tip.

All four legs are relatively long, with distinct white hairs below the carpus and the tarsus.

The head is grey with a darker brown forehead and a black muzzle.