Soutpansberg and escarpment of eastern South Africa and western Swaziland, south through midlands of KwaZulu-Natal to Eastern Cape (around East London).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Drakensberg Prinia (Prinia hypoxantha) [XC134445]
by Frank Lambert from Hhohho, Swaziland (song)
Drakensberg Prinia (Prinia hypoxantha) [XC449763]
by Murray Christian from Howick, Indlovu DC, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Prinia maculosa (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Karoo Prinia (Prinia maculosa) and Saffron-breasted Prinia (Prinia hypoxantha) following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993).
Forms a superspecies with Karoo Prinia (Prinia maculosa). Often considered conspecific, but little evidence of intergradation where the two meet (other than around Mt Currie, in East Griqualand).