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South Africa eSIM
A 5 GB South Africa eSIM costs £11.99 for 30 days on Cell C, MTN and Telkom with 5G. Plans start at £3.99 for 100 MB. Delivered by email in seconds.
Catch a Bolt in Johannesburg, message home on WhatsApp in Durban, or plan a drive down the Garden Route. Your South Africa eSIM connects you to Vodacom, MTN, Cell C or Telkom, so the trip is easier from the first ride.
- 5G and 4G
- 4 networks: Cell C, MTN, Telkom
- Top up anytime
- Instant email delivery
Your South Africa eSIM in two questions
Which South Africa eSIM plan do I need?
Match your plan to your trip length and how much you'll use your phone, with these four trips as a guide.
- A long weekend in Cape Town: Three days of maps, messages and a few rides? Pick 1 GB for 7 days.
- A week that crosses into a neighbour: Heavy use over 7 days means 20 GB for 30 days. If you cross borders, the Africa bundle covers 29 countries.
- A fortnight touring Kruger National Park and the Garden Route: Standard use over 14 days points to 10 GB for 30 days.
- A month-long stay in Johannesburg: Standard use over 30 days is 20 GB for 30 days.
Most plans can be topped up, so you can add more data if your trip changes.
All 43 South Africa eSIM plans
Prices include any taxes. Price per GB shown so you can compare at a glance.
| Data | Valid for | Price | Per GB | Top-up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB · 7 days | £3.99 / €3.99 / $4.99 | No limit | Choose | ||
| 500 MB · 7 days | £3.99 / €3.99 / $4.99 | No limit | Choose | ||
| 1 GB · 7 days | £3.99 / €4.99 / $4.99 | £3.99 / €4.99 / $4.99 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 15 days | £7.99 / €8.99 / $9.99 | £2.66 / €3.00 / $3.33 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 30 days | £7.99 / €8.99 / $9.99 | £2.66 / €3.00 / $3.33 | Choose | ||
| 5 GB · 30 days | £11.99 / €13.99 / $15.99 | £2.40 / €2.80 / $3.20 | Choose | ||
| 10 GB · 30 days | £20.99 / €25.99 / $27.99 | £2.10 / €2.60 / $2.80 | Choose | ||
| 20 GB · 30 days | £40.99 / €47.99 / $52.99 | £2.05 / €2.40 / $2.65 | Choose |
Networks your South Africa eSIM uses
Your eSIM joins the strongest of these local networks automatically, wherever you are in South Africa.
| Country | Networks | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Cell C, MTN, Telkom, Vodacom | 5G |
Good to know
- Data only: your own number keeps working for calls and texts
- Hotspot works where your phone and the network allow it
- Plans start when you first connect; install within 180 days
- Your data routes through France or Germany, so some sites may show that country
- Top up the same eSIM any time, no new QR code
Travelling further?
These eSIMs cover South Africa and more countries on one plan.
Will my eSIM have signal in South Africa?
Cell C, MTN, Telkom and Vodacom are the networks your eSIM joins in South Africa, and 5G is available on them, with 4G and 3G as back-up. Cities and main roads are well covered. Signal is patchy in rural areas and some national parks, so save your maps offline before a Kruger drive. Your phone picks a network by itself, so there is nothing to choose.
Your data reaches the internet through France or Germany, a normal setup for travel eSIMs. You can read more on the IP address help page. Daily plans slow to a lower fair-use speed once you use up the day's allowance.
How much data do you need in South Africa?
Light: maps, messages, email (about 0.25 GB a day). Standard: plus social, music, some video (about 0.7 GB a day). Heavy: plus streaming, video calls, hotspot (about 1.8 GB a day).
3 days
- Light · about 800 MB1 GB · 7 days · £3.99 / €4.99 / $4.99
- Standard · about 2 GB3 GB · 15 days · £7.99 / €8.99 / $9.99
- Heavy · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 15 days · £12.49 / €14.99 / $16.49
7 days
- Light · about 2 GB3 GB · 15 days · £7.99 / €8.99 / $9.99
- Standard · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 10 days · £8.99 / €10.99 / $11.99
- Heavy · about 13 GB1 GB a day · 15 days · £20.49 / €24.49 / $26.49
14 days
- Light · about 4 GB5 GB · 30 days · £11.99 / €13.99 / $15.99
- Standard · about 10 GB1 GB a day · 15 days · £20.49 / €24.49 / $26.49
- Heavy · about 25 GB2 GB a day · 15 days · £38.49 / €45.99 / $49.49
30 days
- Light · about 8 GB10 GB · 30 days · £20.99 / €25.99 / $27.99
- Standard · about 21 GB1 GB a day · 30 days · £40.49 / €48.49 / $52.99
- Heavy · about 54 GB2 GB a day · 30 days · £75.99 / €90.99 / $98.99
How to set up your South Africa eSIM
Install at home
On Wi-Fi, tap Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+), scan the QR code, or type the two codes from your email.
Switch on when you land
Turn on your eSIM line, choose it for mobile data and switch Data Roaming on for that line.
You're online
Your phone joins Cell C and your plan starts. Check data left on your eSIM page.
Using your phone in South Africa: data tips
- Arriving: Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you land at O. R. Tambo (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) or King Shaka (DUR). Keep data roaming on for the eSIM line, and check how to turn on data roaming.
- Getting around: Set up Uber, Bolt or inDrive before you fly, and your ride options will be sorted before you reach the kerb.
- Staying in touch: WhatsApp is the messaging app to have ready here. Your home number stays on for calls and texts, and how to keep WhatsApp and your home number walks you through it.
- Data use: Maps and messages take about 0.25 GB a day. Standard use, with social media, music and some video, is about 0.7 GB a day.
- Good to know: Your eSIM runs on Cell C, MTN, Telkom and Vodacom networks, and 5G is available. After your daily allowance, speed drops to 512 Kbps.
South Africa eSIM questions
How much is an eSIM for South Africa?
South Africa eSIMs start at £3.99 for 100 MB over 7 days. A 5 GB plan for 30 days costs £11.99. Prices include any taxes and show in pounds, euros or dollars.
Which networks does the South Africa eSIM use?
Your eSIM connects to Cell C, MTN, Telkom and Vodacom in South Africa, with 5G where the network has it. Your phone picks the strongest signal automatically.
When does my South Africa eSIM start?
Most plans start the moment your eSIM first connects to a network in South Africa, so you can buy and install it at home before you fly. Install it within 180 days of buying.
Can I top up my South Africa eSIM?
Yes. Most South Africa plans can be topped up from your eSIM page in two taps, with no new QR code. The plan table on this page shows which ones.
Why does my IP address show another country?
South Africa plans route your data through France, a normal setup for travel eSIMs. Websites and apps may show that country's content; your speed and coverage in South Africa are not affected.
Does it come with a phone number?
Every eSIMology plan is data only. Keep your own SIM switched on for calls and texts, and use WhatsApp, FaceTime or any calling app over your eSIM's data.
What if my plans change?
Cancel an eSIM you haven't installed within 30 days for a full refund to your card, in two taps from your eSIM page.
Can I use Uber, Bolt or inDrive in South Africa with an eSIM?
Yes, Uber, Bolt and inDrive are the ride apps people use in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Download them before you fly, then use your eSIM's data to request a car from O. R. Tambo (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT).
How much data do I need for a week in South Africa?
A light week of maps, email and messages comes to about 1.8 GB. Add social media, music and some video and you're nearer 4.9 GB, while streaming and hotspot use push a week to about 12.6 GB. Choose the level that matches your days.
Is there 5G in South Africa?
Yes, South Africa has 5G, alongside 4G and 3G. Your phone will use whichever of these it can reach, so check it supports 5G before you fly if that matters to you.
Can I use WhatsApp in South Africa?
Yes, WhatsApp is the messaging app to keep handy in South Africa. Your eSIM's data carries your messages, photos and shared locations, so you can keep in touch with home as you explore.
Which eSIM covers South Africa and other nearby countries?
The Africa bundle covers 29 countries, South Africa among them, so it suits trips that cross the border. For trips further afield, the Global bundles cover 117 or 127 countries.
Can I use my eSIM on safari in Kruger National Park?
Yes, you can take your eSIM on safari in Kruger National Park or along the Garden Route. Download your maps and any bookings before you set off, so you have them whatever the signal does.
Ready for South Africa?
Buy now, install today, and your plan waits until you land. Full refund if not installed.