Africa is evolving in the eSIM market, and testing Airalo during my two-month journey across five countries was a must. Connectivity was a key concern since
we needed to work on the go. My travel companion Becky, a content writer, required reliable internet for her daily posts.
We packed our older iPhones with physical SIM trays just in case. (Spoiler alert: we didn't need them!) Offline maps were downloaded beforehand for safety.
Having explored the pros and cons of eSIMs, I chose Airalo, the first eSIM store globally, offering diverse plans for the region. From spotting rhinos to hiking dunes, here's my candid review of Airalo for Southern Africa travel.
Countries Explored: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, ZambiaUsage: WhatsApp for messages and calls, navigation, social media uploads, and hotspotting to a laptop for work.
Promo Codes: NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off your first order. Returning users can use AIRALOESIM10 for 10% off.
Airalo in South Africa
Places Explored: Cape Town, Hermanus, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Kruger National ParkNetwork Provider: Vodacom5G Availability: Yes (While the plan claims to be 4G, I experienced 5G throughout.)eSIM Plan: CellSA 5 GB for 15 Days ($13.50 USD) and
CellSA 10 GB for 15 Days ($24 USD), plus a top-up
1 GB for 3 daysAiralo in Cape Town & Western Cape
I began my journey in Cape Town, using the CellSA 5 GB for 15 Days. I enjoyed consistent 5G service in the city's central areas, which was surprising given the eSIM only advertised 4G. However, it was
somewhat unreliable at Table Mountain— I had LTE on the cable car and sporadic service on top.
We returned to Cape Town for another 15 days, and I opted for the CellSA 10 GB for 15 Days plan. A speed test revealed 370 Mbps download and 52 Mbps upload on 5G.
During our visit to Cape Point in Table Mountain National Park, I expected no service, and it met my expectations. My friend Rolando, using Verizon, managed a few bars of 5G intermittently on the MTN-SA network. The drive back to Green Point was hit or miss for both of us, and Boulders Beach, known for its penguins, had no service. Remember, accessing Cape Point requires driving through mountainous areas, leading to limited connectivity. Thankfully, I had Google Maps downloaded, so navigation was seamless.
We took two wine tasting trips to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive depending on traffic. While service was decent in towns, it was spotty at rural wineries, switching to LTE in those spots. Private tours were a safer option for these trips, which I highly recommend!
A day trip along the Garden Route near Hermanus yielded similar results: good connectivity in town but only one bar of LTE at Creation Wines, my favorite vineyard. Given the mountainous terrain, I expected this. Overall, we could browse and post to social media without major issues.
I used data slower than anticipated. As my plan expired the morning of my departure, I added a 1 GB top-up to ensure I had service at the airport since
I distrust airport WiFi. A 15-day plan was cheaper than a 30-day plan. Since I stayed 16 days, topping up was the most cost-effective choice. Note: Airalo has
unlimited plans for heavy users.
Airalo in Johannesburg and Kruger National Park
We embarked on a week-long safari from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. In Johannesburg, we enjoyed 5G throughout, and on the main highway, service fluctuated between 5G and LTE. Becky efficiently managed her social media posts while we drove. (We both used the CellSA 5 GB for 15 Days eSIM during the safari.)
Kruger Park restricts cell service as an anti-poaching measure, according to our guides. Occasionally, we had LTE service at rest stops inside the park and near entrance gates. (Avoid posting rhino sighting locations as poachers may exploit this information.)
We focused on the southern part of the park, entering through the Phalaborwa and Hazyview gates. Most major gates are near towns with services. I recorded a speed of 79.9 Mbps download and 4.82 Mbps upload at our Hazyview hotel. While exploring the Panorama Route, connectivity varied, but I had LTE on and off.
Airalo in Namibia
Places Explored: Windhoek, Etosha National Park, Twyfelfontein, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossusveli, LuderitzNetwork Provider: TN Mobile 3G5G Availability: NoeSIM Plan: Nama 1 GB for 3 Days ($9.50 USD)
Next, we traveled to Namibia, spending a week in Windhoek to relax before embarking on an 8-day safari through Botswana. Upon returning, we chillaxed for another week. Once our friend Rolando arrived, we self-drove across Namibia in a 4X4.
Upon landing at Windhoek airport, I struggled to connect to my eSIM. I ended up purchasing an eSIM from MTC at the airport, which claims to cover 95% of the country, as a backup. The MTC eSIM worked instantly with 5G. (They had just launched eSIMs a month prior!)
Windhoek airport is a 30-45 minute drive from the city center; I wanted coverage for safety. Unfortunately, after reaching my hotel, I still couldn't connect to my Airalo eSIM. I spent an hour with Airalo support, and they eventually confirmed that the network lacks good coverage in Windhoek and issued a refund.
Other travelers reported similar issues with the same Airalo eSIM. Rolando, initially on Verizon's international plan, found it ineffective in Namibia as well and switched to MTC.
Locals unanimously claimed MTC provides the best coverage. However, we only had reliable service in urban centers and major tourist spots, with many areas lacking coverage during our drives. I found MTC's coverage claims overestimated.
For safety, having cell phone coverage is essential when self-driving in Namibia. I recommend getting an MTC eSIM for a safety backup, even if your eSIM works initially. Consider renting a GPS phone as an additional precaution. We faced car trouble 20 minutes from Swakopmund and barely had enough signal to contact our rental company for assistance.
It would be beneficial if Airalo provided coverage maps or detailed whether they cover specific cities.
Airalo in Botswana
Places Explored: Ghanzi, Maun, Okavango Delta, Nata, Chobe National ParkNetwork Provider: Mascom 4G5G Availability: NoeSIM Plan: Maun Telecom 3 GB for 7 Days ($23 USD)
We took a week-long safari through Botswana, starting from Windhoek and concluding in Victoria Falls, traversing the northern region. Given that over 40% of Botswana comprises national parks, I anticipated limited service but was pleasantly surprised!
Once we crossed into Botswana, my eSIM connected almost immediately. After toggling airplane mode, I received 4G service (the network appeared as 652 01 4G, indicating edges of service). I had strong 4G connectivity at a gas station near the border.
I managed to use Instagram, download offline maps, and browse the web. An Ookla speed test indicated 14.7 Mbps download and 8.65 Mbps upload. As we journeyed between towns, service dropped as expected.
Our guide noted that service can be inconsistent, even with a local SIM. He mentioned that Orange and Mas Com (Airalo's partner network) are the top networks, each excelling in different areas.
I experienced 4G in Ghanzi and sporadic 3G on the way to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. In Maun, I had full 4G bars with download speeds of 11.5 Mbps and uploads at 6.79 Mbps. This was sufficient for navigation and social media.
Coincidentally, our visit to the Okavango Delta coincided with the World Series. While driving into the delta, we kept checking the score for our friend, a Blue Jays fan without an eSIM. We received the final score just before losing service. An epic win for our eSIM!
On the paved road parallel to the Zimbabwe border, we had 4G connectivity, including while on a Chobe River cruise. However, we lost service during our safari in Chobe National Park, even close to the river where we had been on the boat. The 3GB plan was sufficient for the entire week.
Airalo in Zimbabwe
Places Explored: Victoria FallsNetwork Provider: Telecell 4G5G Availability: NoeSIM Plan: Zimcom 1 GB for 3 Days ($19 USD)
We concluded our safari in Victoria Falls, our sole destination in Zimbabwe, staying for two nights. The Zimcom 1 GB for 3 Days was the only eSIM option available, which raised some concerns about coverage. Unfortunately, it didn't function, prompting me to contact support. I quickly asked if Victoria Falls was covered by the eSIM, hoping to avoid troubleshooting delays.
As expected, it didn't work because Victoria Falls wasn't included in the partner network. Other eSIM providers have been transparent about this, and I wish Airalo offered similar clarity or a coverage map.
Airalo support refunded my unused eSIM but implied it was an exception since we didn't fully troubleshoot. Why troubleshoot if coverage isn't available?
Our guide mentioned that Econet is the best network in Zimbabwe. While Airalo might work well elsewhere in the country, it clearly didn't in Victoria Falls, which was the only area we visited.
Airalo in Zambia
Places Explored: Victoria Falls & LivingstoneNetwork Provider: Airtel 5G5G Availability: YeseSIM Plan: Kafue Mobile 1 GB for 3 Days ($7.50 USD)
Victoria Falls straddles Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are predominantly viewed from Zimbabwe, but the best views often come from the Zambian side. Depending on your nationality, you can secure a dual entry visa for crossing into Zambia. We took a day trip to see the falls from Zambia and taxi-ed (12 kilometers) to Livingstone. Prior to our visit, I inquired about coverage in either area and was advised that it was limited. This didn't inspire confidence, but I decided to try the cheapest eSIM option.
As anticipated, it never connected. The app indicated minimal data usage, but I had no coverage during the trip.
After returning to my hotel in Zimbabwe, I reached out to Airalo support via WhatsApp, which I recommend over the in-app chat that I previously used. (The in-app chat times out and reroutes to the AI bot, which isn't always helpful. I ask to speak with a person when needed.) They provided a refund after a tedious troubleshooting process, despite my leaving the country. I was pleasantly surprised by the refund!
Airalo in Southern Africa Summary
eSIM effectiveness depends on the cellular networks they partner with, and Africa is still growing in this regard. My experience with Airalo eSIMs in South Africa and Botswana was mostly positive. I managed to upload to social media, check emails, navigate with Google Maps, and hotspot to my laptop without major issues.
For Namibia, securing an MTC eSIM upon arrival is essential due to their superior network. I'm unaware of any eSIM service linked with MTC. Since Airalo doesn't cover Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, I recommend finding a local network upon arrival.
If you're heading to remote regions, research the best cellular network and choose an eSIM plan that utilizes that network. If no partnership exists, wait to buy a local eSIM upon arrival. For navigation, always download offline maps as a backup.
Given Airalo's excellent customer service, refunds for unused eSIMs are straightforward, making it a reliable backup option. I always recommend purchasing Airalo eSIMs to cover any country.
We initially worried about eSIM availability in Southern Africa and brought our older iPhones with physical SIM trays, which turned out unnecessary. Prior to this trip, Becky traveled in Egypt using Airalo without issues. (She faced challenges getting a local eSIM and opted for Airalo instead, which worked beautifully.)
Overall, I strongly endorse Airalo for South Africa and Botswana. I exclusively utilized local eSIMs since they were less expensive than the regional Africa eSIM, which covers both nations. To save on Airalo eSIMs, remember to use the promo code AIRALOESIM10 for 10% off every order. (For a 15% discount on your first purchase, apply code NEWTOAIRALO15.)
