Using your mobile phone for internet and calls in South Africa

Want to stay connected during your trip to South Africa without incurring high costs? With a South African SIM card or eSIM, you can go online immediately after arrival and benefit from local rates. This allows you to effortlessly use Google Maps in Cape Town, WhatsApp in Johannesburg or stream photos from a safari in Kruger Park – without sky-high roaming charges. In this article, you can read how to easily arrange a SIM card or eSIM, what the best options are for mobile internet and calling in South Africa, and how you can arrange all this before you leave the United Kingdom or at Schiphol Airport.

Using your mobile phone in South Africa

Your British mobile phone will work in South Africa, but be aware that calling and using mobile internet in South Africa with your own SIM card is expensive. The solution is a local South African SIM card or eSIM. This will prevent unexpectedly high roaming charges. With ready-to-use SIM cards and eSIMs, you can get started as soon as you arrive:

• calling in South Africa
• fast mobile internet in South Africa for WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Maps, etc.
• receive free calls in South Africa

For short trips such as a trip to Cape Town, the 10GB South Africa bundle is ideal. Send your friends a selfie from the cable car to the top of Table Mountain or from the vineyards near Stellenbosch. Unlimited data is also perfect for a longer trip that includes the Cape of Good Hope, Johannesburg and Kruger Park. This way, you can easily send a WhatsApp message about the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Choosing a SIM card or eSIM in South Africa

Mobile calling in South Africa is affordable with a South African SIM card or eSIM in your phone: local rates, no roaming. You avoid high costs for mobile data in South Africa. Ideal for travelling to South Africa, especially if you are travelling between different areas such as from Port Elizabeth to Bloemfontein. You benefit from reliable connections via 4G and 5G in South Africa through the networks of South Africa’s largest providers such as Vodacom and MTN. Works directly on your phone, no hassle upon arrival. You can easily continue to call from South Africa to the United Kingdom with the accompanying 10GB or Unlimited bundles. Mobile network coverage in South Africa is good in cities and populated areas. Expect less coverage on your phone in nature reserves such as when searching for the Big Five in Kruger Park or near Hoedspruit. Coverage is good in cities. From the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to Durban and The Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth, your phone will work perfectly everywhere.

eSIM South Africa

12GB

€ 49,00

eSIM South Africa

Unlimited

€ 89,00

Will my phone work in South Africa?

All modern phones can be used in South Africa. When using a prepaid SIM card or eSIM for South Africa, it is a good idea to check whether your device is SIM-free, but SIM locks are almost non-existent in Europe. If you order a SIM card or eSIM online, you don’t have to worry about compatibility if you’re wondering “can I use my phone in South Africa?”. South African SIM cards can be used in any phone, and the eSIM for South Africa works in any device that is compatible with eSIM.

 The options for mobile internet and calling

There are three options for making phone calls and using mobile internet in South Africa: roaming with your own SIM card, a local South African SIM card, or a prepaid South African eSIM. Roaming is usually expensive. Due to roaming charges outside Europe, travellers are faced with high bills for using their regular subscription in South Africa. It is mainly the costs for data that add up. Simple actions such as WhatsApp, navigation and email become unexpectedly expensive. To avoid this, choose a local solution so that you can make cheap calls and use the internet in South Africa. eSIM is ideal for modern smartphones: activation is via a QR code that you receive by email and no physical card is required. There are several data bundles available, tailored to your usage and travel duration. Furthermore, the option for hotspot and tethering is included in many bundles so that you can also use mobile Wi-Fi in South Africa.

eSIM South Africa

12GB

€ 49,00

eSIM South Africa

Unlimited

€ 89,00

How to arrange it in advance online or at Schiphol Airport

Order your SIM card or eSIM online. You will receive the eSIM South Africa by email. The prepaid SIM card South Africa is delivered to your home free of charge. You can also pick it up and receive expert help with installation. This way, everything is arranged before you leave for South Africa and there is no stress upon arrival. This solution is also suitable for business travellers who can choose bundles with unlimited internet anywhere in South Africa. This is also beneficial for families, as the eSIM South Africa allows unlimited data to be shared via hotspot or MiFi.