The Rubeho akalat is found in the Rubeho Mountains, the Wota Mountains northwest of the Rubehos, the Ukuguru Mountains, and Mount Kiboriani northwest of the Ukugurus, between 1660 and 2400 meters elevation. The species is thought to be fairly common in montane forests within its small range, but its very limited distribution has let to it being classified as Endangered species in the 2008 IUCN Red List.