Description
Zambia appeals to UK travellers looking for a classic African safari, with walking safaris in South Luangwa, canoeing on the Lower Zambezi and the roar of Victoria Falls near Livingstone. Others travel to see family in Lusaka, the Copperbelt or elsewhere in the country. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data on arrival for messaging your lodge or driver, maps and keeping in touch.
Your UK SIM stays in the phone alongside the eSIM, so your UK number is still there for bank codes. The Zambia plan handles data for WhatsApp, photos and directions.
Choose your Zambia data plan
There are 10 plans for Zambia. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 1 day | £4.68 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £5.20 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £9.38 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £11.61 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £12.38 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £17.25 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £29.64 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £62.24 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £149.40 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £291.32 |
- Victoria Falls visit: 1GB for 1 day or 1GB for 7 days for a short stay in Livingstone.
- Safari fortnight: 2GB for 15 days or 3GB for 15 days, using lodge Wi-Fi, where there is any, for bigger uploads.
- Family visit of a month: 5GB for 30 days or 10GB for 30 days.
- Long stays and work: 20GB for 30 days, 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days.
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 Zambia.
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 Zambia
International flights arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, and some reach Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, close to Victoria Falls. Data is useful for maps, messaging drivers and lodges, and checking times for light aircraft transfers to the parks.
National parks, river camps and long roads between towns can have weak or no signal, so download maps and booking details in town. The Zimbabwe side of the falls and the town of Victoria Falls are not covered by this plan, and neither is Botswana.
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 Zambia, 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 Zambia 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.
- Zambia only: if you cross to the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls or continue to Botswana, ask us about a plan for each country.
- Signal on safari: many camps are in remote areas with little or no signal, so tell family when you may be out of contact.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will the eSIM work at Victoria Falls?
It can work on the Zambian side near Livingstone wherever there is signal. The Zimbabwe side is a different country and is not covered.
Can I use the plan in Lusaka for a family visit?
Yes, the plan works in Lusaka and other towns wherever there is mobile signal, which suits maps, messages and video calls home.
When should I buy my Zambia 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.
