Description
Botswana is one of Africa’s great safari destinations. UK travellers come for the waterways of the Okavango Delta, the elephant herds along the Chobe River, the Makgadikgadi salt pans and the Kalahari. Others visit for work or to see family in Gaborone and Francistown.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data in towns and lodges with signal, so you can share sightings, message home and check transfer times. It is installed beside your UK SIM, which means your normal number stays in the phone for bank codes, while the eSIM looks after your data.
Choose your Botswana data plan
There are 4 plans for Botswana. 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 | £7.70 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £14.63 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £18.72 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £30.81 |
- Safari week: 1GB for 7 days is enough for messages and a few photo uploads between game drives.
- Two-week safari circuit: 2GB for 15 days or 3GB for 30 days suits sharing photos when you have signal.
- Work trip or family visit: 5GB for 30 days gives room for email, maps and video calls in town.
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 Botswana.
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 Set up an eSIM.
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. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. 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 Botswana
International arrivals usually come through Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, or fly on to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, and Kasane, near Chobe National Park. In these towns, data is useful for maps, transfer details and staying in touch before you head into the bush.
Remote camps in the Delta, the Kalahari and the salt pans often have little or no signal, so expect to be offline for days at a time. The plan covers Botswana only, so a day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia needs a separate plan.
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
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Botswana, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- 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 Botswana 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.
- Safari camps: many remote camps have no mobile signal. Some offer Wi-Fi in the main area, so check with your lodge.
- Botswana only: the plan does not cover Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia or South Africa.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Zimbabwe, Namibia and Eswatini. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have signal in the Okavango Delta?
Often not. Signal is usually limited to towns such as Maun and some lodges, so plan to be offline in the Delta.
Can I use it on a day trip to Victoria Falls from Kasane?
No. Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe and Zambia, which this plan does not cover.
When should I buy my Botswana 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.
