7 Best South Africa eSIM for Tourists: Unlimited Data & Phone Number

Our team tested several eSIMs in South Africa, and this option from BNESIM stood out from the rest. Throughout our 8-day trip, we were able to enjoy up to 5G internet speeds with zero issues. We also liked that the data plans are very affordable starting at just $3. Get the same South Africa eSIM with a 30% discount when you use our BNESIM promo code TRAVLISTS. Visit BNESIM ➜

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In a nutshell

  • Prepaid eSIM with unlimited data. For heavy internet users, we recommend this South Africa eSIM with unlimited data for 1-30 days. This option gathers signals from Vodafone and offers free VPN to iPhone users. Use our coupon code TRAVLISTS2025 when you book to get an extra $5 off.
  • South Africa eSIM with phone number. Currently, no eSIM provider offers a local number in South Africa (with country code +27). However, you can still get a data eSIM with an international phone number from Yesim here. They offer virtual numbers based in the USA, Canada, Netherlands, and Israel. Alternatively, you can also use this South Africa eSIM that offers calls to 200+ destinations for just $0.01 per minute (no phone number included).
  • Regional eSIM for Africa. If you will travel to South Africa and other neighboring countries, you can also consider purchasing a regional eSIM from the world’s best eSIM provider here or the world’s first eSIM store here. (Whichever you choose, you can get up to 30% discount when you use our promo code TRAVLISTS.)

Quick Book

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South Africa eSIM Data Plans with Promo Codes

BEST
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5G South Africa eSIM by BNESIM

β€’ PLANS: 3-20GB for 30 days
β€’ NETWORK: Vodafone
β€’ FEATURES: Mobile hotspot, optional VPN, optional international phone number, one-click installation, reliable customer service, and referral program

πŸ† 5x World’s Best Travel SIM Provider
$2.33$3.33
30% off with promo code TRAVLISTS
FASTEST
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4G/5G South Africa eSIM by Ubigi

β€’ PLANS: 1-50GB for 7-30 days
β€’ NETWORK: MTN
β€’ FEATURES: Reusable eSIM, offline top-up, and referral program
$5.4$6
10% off with promo code TRAVLISTS
UNLIMITED
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4G South Africa eSIM with Unlimited Data by Yesim

β€’ PLANS: Unlimited data or fixed 3-20GB for 7-30 days
β€’ NETWORK: Vodafone
β€’ FEATURES: Free VPN for iOS, optional virtual phone number, cashback, 24/7 support, and mobile hotspot
$4.9$9.9
$5 off with promo code TRAVLISTS
POPULAR
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4G South Africa eSIM by Airalo

β€’ PLANS: 1-10GB for 7-30 days
β€’ NETWORK: Vodacom
β€’ FEATURES: Cashback and mobile hotspot

πŸ₯‡ World’s First eSIM Store
$3.82$4.5
15% off with promo code TRAVLISTS15
24/7 SUPPORT
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4G/5G South Africa eSIM by Nomad

β€’ PLANS: 1-10GB for 7-30 days
β€’ NETWORK: MTN and Vodacom
β€’ FEATURES: 24/7 customer service (available via chat and email) and eSIM compatibility with smartphones, tablets, and select laptops
$4.28$4.5
5% off with promo code TRAVLISTS
RECOMMENDED
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4G/5G South Africa eSIM by World eSIM

β€’ PLANS: 6GB for 15 days or daily 500MB-1GB for 1-5 days
β€’ NETWORK: MTN and Vodacom
β€’ FEATURES: Easy eSIM set-up recommended for first-time eSIM users, intuitive app, and referral program

⭐ From the makers of Ninja WiFi in Japan πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅
$4.27$4.5
5% off with our partner link
WITH CALLS
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4G/5G South Africa eSIM with Calls & Free Trial by Roamless

β€’ PLANS: 150MB or 1-3GB with no expiration
β€’ NETWORK: Vodacom and MTN
β€’ FEATURES: Free trial, non-expiring plans, unlimited mobile hotspot, and in-app calls to 200+ destinations
$1.45$6.45
$5 credit with promo code TRAVLISTS

Can I use an eSIM in South Africa?

Yes, like hundreds of thousands of tourists, you can use an embedded SIM or eSIM as you explore the country. Depending on the provider you choose, you will be able to connect to the leading local telcos like MTN or Vodacom. This will give you a stable browsing experience like locals do. Other eSIM operators like BNESIM and Yesim also provide signals from powerhouse regional networks like Vodafone.

If you are not yet familiar with eSIMs, just think of it as a digital SIM card that you can download and install right after purchase. Unlike the familiar physical SIM cards, you will not have to pick one up at the airport and physically install it on your phone. South Africa eSIM providers also have customer service, which SIM cards or pocket WiFi rental companies typically do not offer. This would be helpful if you need assistance with installation or troubleshooting.

Best Overall eSIM Provider for South Africa

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My partner and I tested several eSIMs in South Africa, and this is the one that I liked best. I got the 10GB plan for 30 days, and I was very satisfied with my experience. Installing the eSIM was straightforward, and I was able to connect to the internet as soon as we landed at Cape Town International Airport. The connection was smooth, stable, and fast (mostly 5G), and the eSIM worked excellently even outside Camp’s Bay where we stayed.

While there are more popular brands, BNESIM is the only provider that has been recognized as the world’s best in the travel communications category (not just once but five times!). I actually heard about this fact after using BNESIM, but I was not surprised at all considering my great experience with them.

If you want to try BNESIM for your holiday in South Africa, you can expect to enjoy the following features:

  • One-click eSIM installation for iOS and Android devices
  • Military-grade VPN (optional)
  • International phone number (optional)
  • Referral program (Receive BNE coins that you can use for your next trip)
  • Reliable customer service
  • 5% cashback

What’s more, our friends at BNESIM have been so kind to give our readers a generous 30% discount for all their eSIMs. Avail of this offer when you use our coupon code TRAVLISTS below:

South Africa eSIM with Unlimited Data (and free VPN!)

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For those looking for uncapped data packs, our team at Travlists recommends Yesim. This notable operator is one of the first ones to offer unlimited data plans for South Africa, making them the go-to brand for tens of thousands of tourists. They have unlimited data plans for 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month, which is perfect whether you are traveling short-term or otherwise. But the one thing that my partner and I appreciate best about Yesim is that they also offer a free VPN service for iPhone users. Not only can you enjoy nonstop connectivity but also a safe and secure browsing experience while touring.

As an alternative, you can also visit Klook here to see if they are offering unlimited data eSIMs for South Africa.

South Africa eSIM with Calls & Phone Number

There are no major eSIM operators that offer plans with a South African phone number or country code +27. However, if you want to have a personal roaming number, you can get one from BNESIM here or Yesim here. Both offer virtual phone numbers based in the US and Canada and with voice plans that are most likely cheaper than your provider.

If you only need to make calls and do not necessarily need an eSIM with a phone number, you can also get Roamless’ eSIM for South Africa instead. They offer non-expiring data plans for South Africa and in-app calls to 200+ destinations starting at just $0.01. (Use our promo code TRAVLISTS to receive a $5 credit on your Roamless account.)

Free Trial

If you are still not sure about getting an eSIM for your South Africa trip, you can get a free trial from GigSky. They are an official eSIM partner of brands like Apple and Visa, and they won’t require a credit card for their free 100MB data. If you like your experience and want to upgrade to a paid plan, you can get any of GigSky’s data plan offers with a 10% discount using our promo code TRAVLISTS.

SAKU’S TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Prepaid eSIMs are one of the many things that you can buy online at a discount. There are other tours and things to do in South Africa that you can book at a cheaper price including the following:

Top South Africa eSIM Providers

When selecting an eSIM for South Africa, try to find one that is powered by Vodafone, MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, or Telkom. These are the country’s major carriers, and you can enjoy the same internet experience that locals do when you get one of these eSIMs.

The eSIMs that gather signals from Vodafone, a network that provides fast internet in Europe and Africa, are BNESIM and Yesim. If you want an eSIM that can connect you to MTN or Vodacom, choose to get either Ubigi or Airalo. (Nomad eSIMs for South Africa are powered by both networks.)

All of the eSIMs below connect to the best telcos in South Africa and are able to give you a stable internet connection for your trip. However, one provider may have a feature that is more suitable to your needs, so make sure to read through the next section carefully before you make a purchase.

1. BNESIM

Best Overall

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As mentioned, this is the eSIM that I used in South Africa and the one that I would personally recommend to friends and family. I like that BNESIM offers a straightforward installation process (important for first-time eSIM users) and an ultra-fast 5G connection powered by Vodafone. But more than these features, I would like to point out how rewarding BNESIM’s referral program is. When you share your referral link with people, they can get a €5 discount for their purchase and you get 2 BNE Coins, which is equivalent to €2. Use your accumulated coins whenever you need to purchase a data plan for South Africa or any of the 200+ destinations that BNESIM covers.

  • PRICE: Book here starting at $3
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: 3-20GB data for 30 days (non-expiring plans also available), mobile hotspot, optional international phone number, optional VPN, reliable customer support, & nationwide coverage in South Africa powered by Vodafone
  • COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Huawei, and other Android smartphones. Find the full list of devices here.
  • HOW TO USE: Buy your South Africa eSIM here, install it on the app, and go online as soon as you reach your destination.
  • BEST REVIEW: β€œI got the [20GB] plan (30 days)… And it was really good.”

2. Ubigi

Fastest

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Pronounced as you-bee-gee, Ubigi is one the leading eSIM providers in the world. We have used their virtual SIM cards in countries like Japan and South Korea, and we were impressed by their blazing-fast eSIMs. The thing that I like about Ubigi is that their digital SIM cards are reusable, which means that you won’t have to install another eSIM for all your future trips (as long as you use the same phone, of course!). Plus, they also offer offline top-ups through their app, so you never have to worry about losing data connection in the middle of your South Africa trip.

  • PRICE: Book here starting at only $6.
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: 1-50GB for 7-30 days, mobile hotspot, reusable eSIM, offline top-up, & nationwide coverage in South Africa powered by MTN
  • COMPATIBLE DEVICES: Ubigi works on iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Hammer, and other Android smartphones. They also support select laptops and tablets.
  • HOW TO USE: Select a data plan, install the eSIM by scanning a QR code or via the app, create an eSIM profile, and activate upon arrival.
  • BEST REVIEW: β€œEasy to purchase and use β€” was able to use data immediately… no interruptions in service… Would use again,” reads a review on Trustpilot.

3. Yesim

Unlimited Data

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Yesim is one of the premium eSIMs in the market, as many say on Reddit. I agree. While Yesim’s data plans are a bit on the expensive side, you really get what you pay for with this provider. Their eSIMs for South Africa come with unlimited data, connectivity from Vodafone, and a free VPN for iOS devices, so you can expect a safe, fast, and nonstop browsing experience in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and other parts of the country.

  • PRICE: Book here starting at only $9.9
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: Unlimited data or fixed 3-20GB for 7-30 days, free VPN for iPhones, cashback, referral program, mobile hotspot, & nationwide coverage powered by Vodafone
  • COMPATIBLE DEVICES: Yesim eSIMs work on iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android mobile devices. Yesim also works on select laptops, tablets, and luxury vehicles.
  • HOW TO USE: Purchase a fixed or unlimited data plan and follow the simple instructions via email.
  • BEST REVIEW: β€œI’m not gonna waste time building any anticipation [β€”] Yesim is an incredible service with incredible people behind it.”

4. Airalo

Popular

airalo-esim-south-africa

As the first eSIM store in the world, Airalo is one of the preferred brands by many. While I like BNESIM, my partner is an avid fan of Airalo. He uses it every time we go on a trip, and he really likes how simple and straightforward the eSIM is. Airalo has affordable data plans for short-term and long-term use and has a sleek app that makes it easy to manage their digital SIM cards. My partner also loves the cashback program from Airalo and has made a handsome amount (in the form of AirMoney) after recommending it to others.

  • PRICE: Book here starting at $4.5.
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: 1-10GB for 7-30 days, mobile hotspot, cashback, refer-a-friend program, & nationwide coverage in South Africa powered by Vodacom
  • HOW TO USE: Choose your destination and plan, install the eSIM, and activate it upon landing.
  • BEST REVIEW: “Very easy to get started… Followed the instructions and even helped another person on the trek [to] get theirs working too,” reads a review on Trustpilot.

5. Nomad

24/7 Customer Support

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With Nomad eSIM, you can enjoy coverage from two leading local mobile operators: MTN and Vodacom. This ensures that you get the fastest data connection wherever you explore. But aside from this feature, our team at Travlists commends Nomad eSIM for their customer service. Not all providers are responsive to user queries and assistance requests, but Nomad goes above and beyond with their 24/7 support.

  • PRICE: Book here starting at $4.5
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: 1-10GB for 7-30 days, reliable customer service, mobile hotspot, & nationwide coverage powered by MTN and Vodacom
  • HOW TO USE: Install your eSIM, start your eSIM, and connect at your destination.
  • BEST REVIEW: “…Nomad eSim worked flawlessly… Speeds were decent…”

6. World eSIM

For First-Time eSIM Users

cheap-south-africa-esim-data-plans

From the makers of Ninja WiFi, Japan’s beloved rental pocket WiFi, comes World eSIM. We recommend this eSIM provider for South Africa for two reasons: their daily data plans and simple eSIM set-up.

World eSIM is the only one that offers 500MB or 1GB of data per day to tourists, making them an excellent choice for heavy internet users. (This kind of plan is ideal if you plan to use an eSIM for navigation, social media, and browsing.) Moreover, World eSIM’s digital SIM cards are very easy to install β€” any first-time eSIM user would find it simple to activate.

  • PRICE: Book here starting at $4.5
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: Fixed 6GB or daily 500MB-1GB for 1-5 days, mobile hotspot, & nationwide coverage powered by MTN and Vodacom
  • HOW TO USE: Purchase a South Africa eSIM, install on your iPhone or Android smartphone, and connect online instantly upon arrival.
  • BEST REVIEW: “Worked well. Simple to install…”

7. Roamless

With Calls and Free Trial

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Finally, if you are looking for a South Africa eSIM with a free trial or calls, consider getting Roamless. This reputable eSIM provider lets you try out their eSIM with free 150MB data. They also offer in-app calls (no phone number) to over 200+ destinations starting at just $0.01 per minute. Oh, their plans are also non-expiring and you can connect an unlimited number of devices via hotspot!

  • PRICE: Book here starting at $6.45
  • WHAT YOU’LL GET: 150MB (free)-3GB data with no expiration, mobile hotspot for unlimited devices, in-app calls from $0.01 a minute, & nationwide coverage in South Africa powered by MTN and Vodacom
  • HOW TO USE: Download the Roamless app here, set up your global eSIM, and add some funds to your wallet (get $5 credit with our Roamless promo code TRAVLISTS)
  • BEST REVIEW: β€œHave used Roamless for a few months… Speed and connection…has been amazing. Cost [is] very reasonable… Highly recommended.”

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