South Africa: Buy the Best eSIMs | 2024 Guide

South Africa is one of the more popular travel destinations in 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 South Africa?

You can get an eSIM for South Africa for as little as 5 USD and up to 79 USD from Airalo (CellSA) & Holafly.

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

Original publication: 26th of November 2022. Last updated: 18th of October 2023.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about six eSIM options in South Africa (and explain why they are included).

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

• Airalo South Africa CellSA eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (top pick)
• Holafly South Africa eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 30 days (unlimited data eSIMs) – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Airalo Hello Africa eSIM with two choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (formerly Discover Global) with 12 choices between 1 GB and 20 GB (extensive global coverage (130+ countries) at attractive prices) + ability to make and receive calls & send and receive SMS (new) – read my ongoing Airalo Discover(+) (Global) eSIM review too!
• Nomad Global eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (109 or 139 countries) at high(er) prices – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)

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 (South Africa-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 South Africa 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo CellSA eSIM for South Africa

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 South Africa: CellSA.

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 South Africa, the Airalo CellSA eSIM uses the Vodacom South Africa network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).

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

1. South Africa/CellSA 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 4.50 USD
2. South Africa/CellSA 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 8 USD
3. South Africa/CellSA 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 11 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. South Africa/CellSA 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 15.50 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. South Africa/CellSA 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 26 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for South Africa 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 South Africa 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).

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 South Africa CellSA eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Vodacom South Africa 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 South Africa CellSA 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 to 10 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).

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Holafly eSIM for South Africa

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 South Africa.

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.

You have the following six Holafly South Africa eSIM options (which uses the Vodacom South Africa network):

1. South Africa unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD/29 EUR/24 GBP/44 AUD/37 CAD
2. South Africa unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD/37 EUR/34 GBP/54 AUD/47 CAD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. South Africa unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD/44 EUR/37 GBP/64 AUD/57 CAD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. South Africa unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD/47 EUR/39 GBP/67 AUD/64 CAD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. South Africa unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD/59 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/77 CAD
6. South Africa unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD/79 EUR/67 GBP/114 AUD/104 CAD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly South Africa 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 South Africa 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 South Africa eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

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Local South African 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 four mobile operators and four Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) with prepaid offers accessible to travelers in South Africa: Vodacom South Africa, MTN South Africa, Cell C, Telkom South Africa, Air Mobile by Afrihost, Hello Mobile South Africa, Lycamobile South Africa & Trace Mobile.

Currently, MTN South Africa and Vodacom South Africa offer eSIMs.

Of them, none offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the South African mobile operators, check out my South Africa SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for South Africa & More Countries

Okay, I went over the South Africa travel eSIM options offered by Airalo & Holafly + by the local mobile operators (only MTN & Vodacom in this case).

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in South Africa and not in neighboring Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, or Zimbabwe.

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 and Nomad have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include South Africa too.

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

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Nomad Global eSIM

Besides Nomad's eSIM for South Africa, it also has a global eSIM that can be used in South Africa and a total of 109/139 countries (including most European ones).

While Nomad's Global eSIM covers a few more countries than Airalo's Discover(+) eSIMs (109/139 vs. 130 (previously 85+)), it is significantly more expensive than Airalo (but not the most costly global eSIM in this guide).

Even so, Phone Travel Wiz readers have shown interest in this eSIM and have had positive experiences with it, especially after Nomad improved it (with its 139 Country Plan powered by eSIM Go (has 5G NR access in 50+ countries) instead of the 109 Country Plan by Truphone (4G/LTE only).

Anyway, you have these six Nomad Global eSIMs:

1. Global (109 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD/24 EUR/21 GBP/34.50 CAD/23 CHF – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Global (139 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 19 USD/18.50 EUR/16 GBP/26 CAD/17.50 CHF
3. Global (109 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD/38.50 EUR/33.50 GBP/55 CAD/37 CHF – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Global (139 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD/38.50 EUR/33.50 GBP/55 CAD/37 CHF
5. Global (109 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD/43 EUR/37.50 GBP/61.50 CAD/41.50 CHF – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Global (139 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 57 USD/54.50 EUR/47.50 GBP/78 CAD/52.50 CHF

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in October based on data up to the 11^th of October (2023 data only).

The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 109 (Truphone)/139 (eSIM Go) countries:

¹ 109 Countries Plan (Truphone) only
² 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go) only
³ 5G NR access (if you have the 139 Countries Plan (eSIM GO) – does not apply to the 109 Countries Plan (Truphone)

Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for South Africa (Airalo vs. Holafly)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in South Africa

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

• Airalo South Africa CellSA eSIM (top pick)
• Holafly South Africa eSIM
• Airalo Hello Africa eSIM
• Airalo Discover(+) eSIM (reasonable extensive global coverage (84+ 130+ countries) at attractive prices + calling and texting options (new))
• Nomad Global eSIM (extensive global coverage (109/139 countries) at high(er) prices)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs, and code ADU123 for Nomad eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in South Africa

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

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