South-eastern Gabon, central Congo, southern Zaire, southern Uganda and south-western Kenya, south to southern Namibia, northern Cape Province and Natal.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2011).
Southern White-faced Owl (Ptilopsis granti) [XC510384]
by Dries Van de Loock from Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate, Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania (song)
Southern White-faced Owl (Ptilopsis granti) [XC834715]
by Derek Solomon from Manyeleti Game Reserve, South Africa (song)
Subspecies
Often treated as conspecific with Northern White-faced Owl (Ptilopsis leucotis), but differs significantly in DNA and vocal patterns.