eSIM for South Africa
Prepaid data on local South Africa networks. Install before you fly and land already connected.
- Dial code
- +27
- Time zone
- Johannesburg
- Languages
- English, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans
from $4.50
Plans for South Africa
Pick a data amount and validity window. Every plan can be topped up mid-trip.
Validity
Data
1 GB data
valid 7 days
2 GB data
valid 15 days
Most popular
3 GB data
valid 30 days
5 GB data
valid 30 days
Unlimited data
valid 3 days
Choose this plan$20.50
10 GB data
valid 30 days
Unlimited data
valid 5 days
Choose this plan$31.50
Unlimited data
valid 7 days
Choose this plan$39.50
Best value per GB
20 GB data
valid 30 days
Unlimited data
valid 10 days
Unlimited data
valid 15 days
Unlimited data
valid 30 days
Networks in South Africa
Your eSIM connects automatically to a partner network. If speeds disappoint, select a different one manually in your carrier settings.
- Vodacom
What to know about connectivity in South Africa
Roaming cost comparison
Pay-as-you-go roaming in South Africa costs around $1000.45 per GB through a typical US carrier. A Jelly eSIM starts at $4.50 with prepaid data included.
Carrier roaming voice calls run about $2.30 per minute on top.
How to dial South Africa
- International format
- +XX XX XXX XXXX
- Local format
- XXX XXX XXXX
- Subscriber digits
- 9
- Trunk prefix
- 0
Time zone
Johannesburg
Available network speeds
Best value
The lowest cost-per-GB plan works out to $2 per GB, a useful benchmark when comparing plans.
How much data do I need in South Africa?
Suggested plans by trip length, based on the available packages for this destination.
| Trip length | Data | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend (3 days) | Unlimited | $31.50 | - |
| One week | Unlimited | $46 | - |
| Two weeks | 2 GB | $7.50 | $3.75 |
| One month | 5 GB | $14 | $2.80 |
Why use an eSIM in South Africa
- Cheaper than roaming
- Carrier roaming bills a daily fee whether you use data or not. A prepaid plan bills once, upfront.
- Working the moment you land
- No hunting for a shop, no passport registration, no airport queue at midnight.
- Your number stays yours
- Dual SIM keeps calls, texts, and WhatsApp on your home line while data rides on Jelly.
Getting online in South Africa
Buy a plan and scan the QR code from your email while you still have Wi-Fi.
Land in South Africa, switch the Jelly line on, and set it as your data line.
Turn off data roaming on your home line so your carrier cannot bill you.
South Africa eSIM questions
When does my South Africa plan start counting?
Validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in South Africa, not when you buy it. Installing early costs you nothing.
Can I make calls in South Africa?
Jelly plans are data plans. Calls work over WhatsApp, FaceTime, or any app you already use, and your home number stays reachable on your other SIM.
Can I tether a laptop in South Africa?
Yes on most compatible phones. Tethering uses data quickly, so pick a larger plan if a laptop is coming with you.
What if I run out of data in South Africa?
Top up from your dashboard. The top up applies to the eSIM already installed, so there is nothing new to scan.
Visiting more than South Africa?
A regional plan covers multiple countries on one eSIM.