South Africa Travel eSIM
Cape Town, the Garden Route and Kruger all run off the same eSIM. Install it with a click or a QR scan before you fly and it connects to Vodacom on 5G the moment you land, with no RICA registration to sit through at the airport.
Roams on Vodacom, with 5G.
Your trip
About 1GB a day
10GB, 30 daysUS$23.60
US$2.36 per GB
Birthday sale: 30% off with BIRTHDAY30 until 9 Oct.
Fixed plans run from 100MB to 20GB, and unlimited daily plans refill every day. A week in South Africa at standard use (about 1GB a day) costs US$23.60 on the 10GB, 30 day plan, and two weeks US$46.30 on the 20GB, 30 day plan. Plans of 1GB or more start at US$4.70, and unlimited daily plans at US$3.90 a day, or one price for the whole trip on Endless, from US$15.20 for a week. Days start when it first connects in South Africa, not when you install it, except that the 100MB, 7 day plan starts on install.
Light or heavy user? See trip costsFind my South Africa planHow much data do I need?
South Africa eSIM key facts
- Networks
- Vodacom (5G)
- Cheapest plan, 1GB or more
- US$4.70 for 1GB, 7 days
- Best price per GB
- US$2.31 per GB on 20GB, 30 days (US$46.30)
- Plans
- 16: 8 fixed, 8 unlimited daily
- Popular plans
- 1GB, 7 days: US$4.70
- 3GB, 30 days: US$9.40
- 10GB, 30 days: US$23.60
- 20GB, 30 days: US$46.30
- Unlimited daily
- from US$3.90 a day (500MB a day at full speed)
- Endless, one trip price
- US$15.20 for a week at 500MB a day
- Regional plans that also cover it
- Days start
- On first connection in South Africa; the 100MB, 7 day plan starts on install
- Install window
- 180 days from purchase
- Internet exit (breakout)
- France or Netherlands
- Hotspot
- Allowed on the daily plans
- Calls and texts
- Data only; app calls work
Prices and networks checked 27 Sep 2026 from our live catalogue. Reviewed by Nicholas, founder.
South Africa eSIM data plans
One block of data for a set number of days. Prices in USD, updated 27 Sep 2026.
Enter code BIRTHDAY30 at checkout for 30% off every plan below.
| Data | Valid for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100MB | 7 days | $3.50 USD | Buy |
| 500MB | 7 days | $3.80 USD | Buy |
| 1GB | 7 days | $4.70 USD | Buy |
| 3GB | 15 days | $9.10 USD | Buy |
| 3GB | 30 days | $9.40 USD | Buy |
| 5GB | 30 days | $13.90 USD | Buy |
| 10GB | 30 days | $23.60 USD | Buy |
| 20GB | 30 days | $46.30 USD | Buy |
Buy sends you to our shop's secure Stripe checkout. Your eSIM installs right after checkout, with a copy by email.
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Unlimited South Africa eSIM: daily plans
A fresh block of full-speed data every day, then unlimited at reduced speed. Rows marked Endless open Endless, where you pick your days and pay one price for the whole trip. On the other rows, choose your days at checkout.
Enter code BIRTHDAY30 at checkout for 30% off every plan below.
| Full speed / day | Billing | Price / day | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500MB | per day | $3.90 USD | Choose |
| 1GB | per day | $5.10 USD | Choose |
| 1GB | per day | $5.50 USD | Choose |
| 2GB | per day | $7.80 USD | Choose |
| 2GB | per day | $8.50 USD | Choose |
| 3GB | per day | $10.30 USD | Choose |
| 3GB | per day | $11 USD | Choose |
| 10GB | per day | $25.50 USD | Choose |
How much is a South Africa eSIM for one or two weeks?
Wifi is widely available in cities, but load shedding takes routers down with it. A data plan keeps working when the building does not. The cheapest plan here that covers each trip.
| Data use | One week | Two weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Lightabout 300MB a day | US$9.103GB, 15 days | US$13.905GB, 30 days |
| Standardabout 1GB a day | US$23.6010GB, 30 days | US$46.3020GB, 30 days |
| Heavyabout 2GB a day | US$46.3020GB, 30 days | US$92.80Endless, 2GB a day |
South Africa eSIM FAQ
How much is a South Africa eSIM for a week?
Standard use, about 1GB a day, costs US$23.60 on the 10GB, 30 day plan; light use (300MB a day) US$9.10 (3GB, 15 days) and heavy use (2GB a day) US$46.30 (20GB, 30 days).
How much is a South Africa eSIM for two weeks?
Standard use, about 1GB a day, costs US$46.30 on the 20GB, 30 day plan; light use (300MB a day) US$13.90 (5GB, 30 days) and heavy use (2GB a day) US$92.80 (Endless, 2GB a day).
Does the South Africa eSIM have 5G?
Yes: Vodacom runs 5G in South Africa. 5G needs a 5G phone and a 5G signal where you are.
Which networks does the South Africa eSIM use?
It connects to Vodacom (5G), our partner network in South Africa.
Which regional eSIM also covers South Africa?
Two regional eSIMs cover South Africa as well: the Africa eSIM from US$14.20 (up to 29 countries) and the Global eSIM from US$11.90 (up to 129 countries). Each covers several countries on one plan, handy if the trip also takes in Botswana or Eswatini.
Can I share the South Africa eSIM data by hotspot?
Yes, on the daily plans, from US$3.90 a day; hotspot use counts toward the same daily allowance.
When do the days start on the South Africa eSIM?
On first connection in South Africa, not at purchase or install. Install it on wifi before you fly, up to 180 days after buying. The 100MB (7 days) plan is an exception: its validity starts the moment you install it, not on first connection, so install it only when you are ready to start using the data.
Can I make calls with the South Africa eSIM?
No, it is data only, with no South Africa number: WhatsApp and FaceTime calls work over the data.
Where does the South Africa eSIM connect to the internet from?
From France or the Netherlands, so apps may see you there rather than in South Africa, which mostly matters to banking and streaming.
Do I need to RICA register a travel eSIM in South Africa?
No. RICA applies to local South African SIMs. A roaming eSIM connects on Vodacom without registration, which is why it is quicker than buying a SIM on arrival.
Heading somewhere else?
One eSIM can cover a whole region, handy for multi-country trips.
Travel eSIM guides for South Africa
Ready to land online in South Africa?
Pick your data, install before you fly, connect the second you arrive. Find my South Africa plan