Description
Namibia is made for road trips. UK visitors come to drive between the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the wildlife of Etosha National Park, the German-era town of Swakopmund and the wild Skeleton Coast, often in a hired 4×4 with a rooftop tent. With long distances between towns, having mobile data when you are in range makes planning each day much easier.
A travel eSIM is installed next to your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for calls and bank texts. The eSIM handles maps, lodge bookings and messages home. Scan the QR code at home and switch it on in Windhoek.
Choose your Namibia data plan
There are 4 plans for Namibia. 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 | £8.66 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £14.43 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £21.46 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £35.52 |
- One-week safari: 1GB for 7 days or 2GB for 15 days covers messages, lodge directions and a few photos.
- Two-week self-drive: 3GB for 30 days suits a longer route with regular check-ins and photo sharing.
- Long stay or heavy use: 5GB for 30 days for month-long trips or sending lots of photos home.
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 Namibia.
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 Namibia
International flights land at Hosea Kutako International Airport, about 45 km east of Windhoek, where most people pick up their hire car. Data is handy for navigation, fuel stop planning, lodge and campsite check-ins, and weather updates before driving gravel roads.
Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Expect signal in towns such as Windhoek, Swakopmund and near some lodges, but none for long stretches in the desert, parts of Etosha and along the Skeleton Coast. Download offline maps for the whole route before you leave Windhoek.
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 Namibia, 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 Namibia 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.
- Namibia only: this plan does not cover Botswana, South Africa or Zambia. Ask us if your route crosses a border, for example to Victoria Falls or Chobe.
- No signal for hours: tell someone your daily route, and do not rely on mobile data for emergencies in remote areas.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have data inside Etosha National Park?
There may be signal at or near some rest camps, but much of the park has none. Plan to be offline during game drives.
Do I drive on the left in Namibia?
Yes, Namibia drives on the left, as in the UK. Many roads are gravel, so allow more time than the map suggests.
When should I buy my Namibia 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.
