Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Communications
Data in South Africa Data in South Africa
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Communications Connecting - internet cafes, laptops, smart phones - how to connect, use, which one, and intercom/radio systems.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By ghulst

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Jun 2023
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Data in South Africa
We’re heading out to South Africa for almost four weeks. There are four of us traveling around and as we are from the Netherlands, roaming comes with a pretty hefty price tag. There is a party that offers a mifi router from NL to bring and use that to give us all access to the net. However, I am just wondering whether there are better ways to do this when there. We will be mainly using it to stay in touch with family through messaging and the odd call through whatsapp, and to upload foto’s to cloud storage to keep them safe.

Any suggestions?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Jun 2023
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,045
It is pretty much always best to get a local SIM card if there are ones available that are prepaid and don't require contracts or registrations.

If you have an iPhone or an eSIM-enabled Android phone, it's even easier - you don't need a physical card. I used Airalo on my last trip, you can buy a local data eSIM and install it directly from the app, works like you'd expect it to (but make sure to restart your phone after installing the eSIM).

Looking right now, you can get a 30-day CellSA eSIM with 3 gigs of data for 11 USD, 5 gigs for 15.50 USD, or 10 gigs for 26 USD. This may (or may not) be expensive compared to buying a local SIM in a kiosk, but it's definitely gonna be cheaper than a router rental from the Netherlands.

For what it's worth, if you do go with Airalo, you can use my referral code ANDREI3658 to get a few dollars' signup bonus, and I will get one too. Or don't. And there are other competing apps available that you might prefer.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Jun 2023
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Thanks AnTyx, that is interesting. I didn't know my 12 Pro could do that. Learned a new thing today. And yes, what I have seen, this is cheaper than getting a mifi router in the Netherlands. I am curious how the coverage is, but I guess that is something that we need to find out.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Jun 2023
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Does anyone here have experience with Maya Mobile? Where Airola offers 10Gb for 30 days, Maya Mobile actually offers an unlimited 4G eSim for 30 days. That sounds even more attractive to me.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Oct 2023
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
I know it has been months, but better late than never, right? Just to give all of you some feedback on my choice. And to help future Google users with the same question.

Anyway, in the end, I went with Maya Mobile. They offered a 30-day unlimited data esim for South Africa at about U$70 at the time. Other providers mainly did Gb limited options and as we were traveling with four, the idea of using my iPhone as a hotspot for the family was very attractive. I activated the esim before getting on the plane, so it was active when we touched down and it worked pretty much flawlessly for our stay. We used about 30Gb of data in almost four weeks, doing all of the things you like to do on your travels. Syncing photos to the cloud to get them safe, video calling family, and all that. I can recommend their service.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WANTED: Overland 4x4 South Africa July 2018 DominikW Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 23 Jun 2017 02:33
Look What You’re Missing TV series coming soon (Only in South Africa) CandyMan_ZA The HUBB PUB 3 8 Oct 2015 14:27
Importing vehicle on Carnet into South Africa Duty Free (Returning South African) langebaan sunset Trip Paperwork 6 14 Nov 2013 18:28
Buying used bike in South Africa for travel north larrysimpson Trip Transport 2 5 Mar 2013 14:30
Extending a carnet in South Africa nljafrica sub-Saharan Africa 2 21 Nov 2012 18:52

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top