Darling's horseshoe bat is considered medium-sized for an African horseshoe bat, with a forearm length of 42–51 mm (1.7–2.0 in) and weights of 6–13 g (0.21–0.46 oz). It has soft, fluffy fur. The coloration on its back is gray or grayish-brown, while its belly is pale gray. It has a low aspect ratio and very low wing loading, meaning that its flight speed is likely slow but highly maneuverable.
Darling's horseshoe bat is widely distributed in southern Africa, where it has been documented in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It might also be found in Lesotho and Nigeria. It is mostly associated with savanna habitats. It roosts in caves, rocky outcrops, mines, and human structures.
