Description
South Africa pulls in UK visitors for very different trips: a winter-sun break in Cape Town, a drive along the Garden Route, wine tasting around Stellenbosch, a safari near Kruger, or a long stay with family in Johannesburg, Durban or Port Elizabeth. The time difference is small, which makes it easy to stay in touch with home.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data from the moment you switch it on, with no SIM swap needed. It runs alongside your UK SIM, so your UK number stays put for banking texts, while the eSIM handles navigation on road trips, ride apps and WhatsApp.
Choose your South Africa data plan
There are 16 plans for South Africa. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.33 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £5.55 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £7.40 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £10.36 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £14.25 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £18.13 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £21.00 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £27.00 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £29.60 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £33.75 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £55.09 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £78.00 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Cape Town city break: 3GB for 15 days or 5GB for 30 days covers maps, ride apps and restaurant bookings.
- Garden Route road trip: 10GB or 20GB for 30 days leaves room for navigation every day and photos along the way.
- Heavy use on a shorter trip: Unlimited plans run from 3 to 30 days if you stream or video call a lot.
- Long family stay: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days suits people spending a season in South Africa.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in South Africa.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in South Africa
Most flights from the UK land at O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg or Cape Town International, and King Shaka International serves Durban. Switch on the eSIM after landing to book a ride or meet your car hire desk with directions ready.
On the road, data is useful for navigation between towns and for checking opening times at wine farms and beaches. Signal tends to be good in cities but can drop on mountain passes, in the Karoo and in parts of game reserves, so download offline maps for long drives.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in South Africa and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- South Africa only: this plan does not cover Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana or Zimbabwe. Ask us if your route crosses a border.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply, as with most unlimited travel plans.
Questions
Will it work in Kruger National Park?
There is signal in some camps and nearby towns, but large parts of the park have little or none. Plan to be offline on game drives.
Can I use the eSIM for a day trip to Lesotho?
No. The plan is for South Africa only. Ask us about a separate plan if you are crossing the border.
When should I buy my South Africa eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
