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Kenya: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Kenya is one of the more popular travel destinations in (Easy) Africa.

But international roaming will certainly not be cheap in this country (like in most countries).

So, what are your local or travel eSIM options for Kenya?

You can get an eSIM for Kenya for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 79 USD from Airalo (Nakuru Mobile), Holafly & SimCorner.

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Kenya and 80+ other countries, including Kenya's neighbors, for competitive rates.

Buying an eSIM for Kenya Guide (logos of Holafly, Nomad, Hello Africa, Discover+, Nakuru Mobile, Alosim & Airalo)

Original publication: 26th of November 2022. Last updated: 7th of March 2024.


Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about five eSIM options in Kenya (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Kenya without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Kenya-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Kenya 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?


Airalo Nakuru eSIM for Kenya

Airalo Logo
© Airalo

Airalo is the most popular eSIM platform, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide.

Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Kenya: Nakuru.

Kenya Nakuru eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

Travel eSIM providers like Airalo set up roaming agreements with local mobile operators.

But do not get too worried about the term roaming – you will not get a 3000 USD roaming bill.

What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.

In Kenya, the Airalo Nakuru eSIM uses the Airtel Kenya network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).

Airtel Logo Small
© Airtel

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Kenya Nakuru eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

  1. Kenya/Nakuru Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  2. Kenya/Nakuru Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 16.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  3. Kenya/Nakuru Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 23.50 USD
  4. Kenya/Nakuru Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 36.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Airalo Kenya Nakuru Mobile eSIM with Prices
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Nakuru Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Nakuru Mobile 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Kenya soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Kenya in this guide.

What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.

But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.

And you are right – that is true in most cases.

However, you will have to deal with the Kenyan SIM card registration laws.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

Most mobile operators in Africa will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards (when available) or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory new plan requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money).

  • Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
SIM Card Registration Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

So yes, you could get cheaper plans, but the question is if you can actually get them.

Oh, you should also be aware of the following, you can get up to 4G/LTE connections with the Airalo Kenya Nakuru eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Airtel Kenya network instead of being a native customers

But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just (slightly) slower than native customers.

Anyway, the Airalo Kenya Nakuru eSIM is fantastic and is the eSIM I, and many Phone Travel Wiz readers, recommend the most.

The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB only, but unlimited top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).


Holafly eSIM for Kenya

Holafly Logo
© Holafly

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers and is one of the popular ones.

In June, they started offering unlimited data plans for some its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.

And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various East– and Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Fortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are available in Kenya.

Phone Travel Wiz x Holafly Banner

And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.

For now, you have six Holafly Kenya eSIMs (which uses the Airtel Kenya network (as well)):

  1. Kenya unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD
  2. Kenya unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  3. Kenya unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 37 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  4. Kenya unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
  5. Kenya unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  6. Kenya unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only).

Holafly Kenya eSIMs
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Kenya eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).

Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly Kenya eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

But you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Kenya eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

Holafly Travel eSIM Reviews by Phone Travel Wiz

Local Kenyan eSIM for Prepaid Customers

If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.

You have three mobile operators in Kenya: Safaricom, Airtel Kenya & Telkom.

For more information about the plans offered by Kenyan mobile operators, check out my Kenya SIM card buying guide.

Buying a SIM Card in Kenya Guide (logos of Safaricom, Tellcom & Airtel)

International eSIM for Kenya & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Kenya travel eSIM options offered by Airalo, Holafly & SimCorner.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Kenya and not in neighboring Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, or Uganda.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo & SimCorner have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Kenya too.

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Kenya and other countries, including Kenya's neighbors.


Airalo Hello Africa eSIM

Hello Africa Africa eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

Airalo also has the Hello Africa eSIM covering 26 countries with two variants: 1 GB/30 days very popular with PTW readers and 3 GB/30 daysmost popular with PTW readers.

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Like Asia, the Caribbean, Europe & Latin America, many readers tend to visit multiple African countries, so they would rather have a travel eSIM covering multiple countries than just one.

The Hello Africa eSIM can be used in 27 countries in Africa:

  • Algeria
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Congo, Democratic Republic of (Kinshasa)
  • Congo, Republic of (Brazzaville)
  • Eswatini (Swaziland) 1
  • Gabon
  • Ghana
  • Guinea 1
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Ivory Coast
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Namibia 1
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Tanzania
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • South Africa

1 on 3G only

Airalo Hello Africa eSIM Eligible Countries Map Infographic by Phone Travel Wiz (October 2023 Version)

Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!

Below is an overview of how much each Hello Africa eSIM costs:

  1. Africa/Hello Africa 1 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  2. Africa/Hello Africa 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 59 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

With the Hello Africa eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit.

Overview of the Best eSIMs for Kenya (Airalo vs. Holafly vs. SimCorner)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Kenya.

So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:

Phone Travel Wiz Approved Seal

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly and SimCorner eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.


Buying a SIM Card in Kenya

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Kenyan SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.

Or you can get the SimCorner Kenya card, which will be delivered to your home before going to Kenya – convenient 😏.

Buying a SIM Card in Kenya Guide (logos of Safaricom, Tellcom & Airtel)