Description
Rwanda draws UK travellers for mountain gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest, game drives in Akagera and lazy days beside Lake Kivu. Others come to Kigali for conferences, volunteering or to see family. Most trips involve early starts, transfers and guides to keep in touch with, so mobile data from day one makes life easier.
With a travel eSIM you add a Rwanda data plan to your phone without removing your normal SIM. Your UK number stays active for bank codes and texts from home, and the eSIM handles maps, messaging and photo sharing while you are in the country.
Choose your Rwanda data plan
There are 15 plans for Rwanda. 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 | £5.25 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £9.75 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £11.41 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £13.50 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £21.00 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £24.38 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £28.52 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £32.25 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £32.62 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £40.12 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £59.25 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £82.58 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £169.77 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £407.43 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £794.50 |
- Gorilla trek long weekend: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers messages, maps and a few photo uploads.
- Safari and lakes fortnight: 10GB for 30 days leaves plenty for sharing wildlife photos and videos with home.
- Heavy use for a short stay: unlimited for 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 days suits business visitors who live on video calls.
- Long volunteering placement: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days keeps you connected for months.
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 Rwanda.
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 Rwanda
International flights land at Kigali International Airport, a short drive from the city centre. In Kigali, data is useful for booking moto taxis and cars through apps, paying with mobile money and finding restaurants. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, park entry and lodge confirmations are often sent by email, so keep them where you can open them.
Signal is generally good in Kigali and larger towns, but can drop in the forests of Nyungwe, on the volcano slopes and in parts of Akagera. Download offline maps and your permits before heading into the parks.
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 Rwanda, 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 Rwanda 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.
- Rwanda only: the plan does not cover Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi or the DRC. If your route crosses a border, ask us which plans suit it.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply. Ask us if you expect very heavy use.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. 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 on a gorilla trek?
Do not count on it. Signal on the volcano slopes and deep in the forest can be weak or absent, so treat the trek as offline time and send your photos later.
Does the plan include a Rwandan phone number?
No. These plans are data only, so use WhatsApp or similar apps for calls and messages with guides and drivers.
When should I buy my Rwanda 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.
