Best eSIM for Tanzania (Stay Connected While Traveling)
Are you heading to Tanzania and need an eSIM?
Tanzania is one of my favorite countries in the world. You are probably wondering the best way to stay connected while you are there, so let’s work that out for you.
You could use data roaming, but I would not recommend it as it is way too expensive. A local sim card is an option, but it does come with some hassle. What about the top eSIM Tanzania has to offer?
eSims are incredibly convenient and affordable, so let’s find you the best eSIM for Tanzania. Below I have reviewed Tanzania eSim data plans of the top global eSim providers so you can find the best eSim for your trip to this magical country.
ESIM Product Comparison
Airalo7 Days
$4.5/GB
Airalo30 Days
$3.66/GB
Airalo30 Days
$2.6/GB
Holafly1 Day
Holafly7 Days
Holafly14 Days
Holafly30 Days
Nomad7 Days
$10/GB
Nomad30 Days
$5.66/GB
Nomad30 Days
$3.7/GB
Airalo
Airalo is one of the most reliable eSIM providers in Tanzania and the world. Between their great customer service, affordable rates, and fantastic coverage, they are hard to beat.
Airalo offers five affordable prepaid Tanzania eSIM plans and you can choose the one that matches your trip length and data needs. Here they are:
- 1GB/7-days for $4.5
- 2GB/15 days for $8
- 3GB/30-days for $11
- 5GB/30-days for $15.50
- 10GB/30-days for $26
**Note: Airalo used to also be more expensive, but they recently updated their prices!
These are very cheap plans that come with 4G LTE connection speeds, and excellent network coverage in Tanzania, and you know Airalo customer support will always be there to help when you need them.
Pros
- Reliable coverage
- 4G LTE connection speeds
- Great customer service
- Affordable per GB
- Good range of plans
Cons
- No unlimited data plans
Holafly
Holafly is another excellent global eSim provider and one that you can rely on no matter where in the world you are traveling. They provide unlimited data eSIMs and here are some examples of their pricing
- Unlimited / 1 Day: $9.9
- Unlimited / 7 Days: $36.9
- Unlimited / 14 Days: $48.9
- Unlimited / 30 Days: $106.9
This is a solid eSim data plan with a good amount of data and it will last for a whole month. The coverage in Tanzania is excellent on this eSIM and it comes with fast connection speeds using Vodacom – Tanzania’s leading mobile operator, as well as Airtel.
Pros
- Great coverage
- 4G speed
- Good customer service
- Semi-affordable per GB
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Only one plan to choose from
- More expensive than others
Nomad
Nomad has been in the eSim world for a while and thus you can rely on them to give you good mobile internet access in most parts of the world. Their global coverage, connection speed, and customer service are all on point.
They have a few Tanzania eSim plans for you to choose from below.
Sadly, the 1GB and 3GB plans are way overpriced compared to the likes of Airalo but their 5GB plan is semi-competitive. Airalo’s 5GB eSim for Tanzania is still more affordable though.
Pros
- Good coverage
- Reliable connection speed
- A few plans to choose from
- Helpful customer service
Cons
- A bit expensive
Yesim
Yesim is a rather new network provider to the eSim world compared to the likes of Airalo or Holafly. They still provide reliable coverage, connection speeds, and customer service but their eSim data plans for Tanzania are a little bit overpriced and short.
- 500MB/7-days/€8 – $8.57
- 1GB/7-days/€13 – $14.21
- 3GB/5-days/€33 – $36.06
- 5GB/7-days/€52 – $56.28
The price per GB is insanely high on these and the fact that the longest plan lasts for just 7 days means you should look to another provider for your eSim for Tanzania.
Pros
- Reliable service
- Easy to set up
- 4G connection speed
- A few plans to choose from
- Solid coverage
Cons
- Very short-term plans
- Very expensive
GlobaleSim
GlobaleSim is a reliable eSim provider that specializes in international eSim plans and they have quite a few to choose from.
Only one of their eSim card plans includes Tanzania and they have four eSim card data plans for you to choose from. Here they are:
- 1GB/7-days/$17
- 2GB/10-days/$21
- 3GB/14-days/$30
- 5GB/21-days/$48
You can pick a plan to match your trip length and how much data you will need on your trip but I have to say, their price per GB is a little expensive compared to other providers.
But, you do get to use it in over 100 countries, so it might suit you if you are moving from country to country.
Their coverage, connection speeds, and customer service are all excellent.
Pros
- Works in over 100 countries
- Good coverage
- Fast 4G connections
- Easy eSim setup
- Lots of plans to choose from
Cons
- A bit expensive
Benefits of Getting an eSim in Tanzania
When traveling to Tanzania, using an eSim instead of a traditional roaming or local sim card can offer you many benefits beyond just that one country.
One of the most significant advantages of eSims is their convenience. With just a few clicks online, you can purchase and activate your eSim without ever leaving your home or waiting in line.
Once you arrive, you can immediately connect to a network without having to search for and purchase a local sim card. This saves you time and hassle, making your travel experience much smoother.
Another great advantage is that your original phone number remains unaffected, which means you can stay connected to your important calls, texts, and banking alerts while you’re away. Topping up your eSim is also quick and easy, and can be done online in just a few clicks.
In the event that you misplace your phone, transferring your eSim to a new device is incredibly easy, so you don’t have to worry about losing your phone number and important contacts.
An additional benefit of eSims is that you don’t need to swap out physical sim cards. This means that you can say goodbye to the stress of losing or misplacing sim cards while you’re out exploring your destination.
With an eSim, you can relax and enjoy your travels with the peace of mind that you’re always connected and won’t lose your sim card.
Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in Tanzania
There are some local mobile operators in Tanzania that offer eSims and these include:
- Vodacom
- Airtel
You can buy eSim services from both Vodacom and Airtel on their websites which will allow you to activate a local phone number without the need for a physical SIM card.
Tigo and Zantel are the other major local network providers in Tanzania but they do not offer eSims as of yet.
Devices Compatible with eSim in Tanzania
eSims are a type of sim card that’s already embedded in your device hence the name “eSim”. Not all devices come with an eSim as it is rather new technology so it’s worth checking if your device is compatible with eSim in Tanzania before you purchase an eSim plan.
Fortunately, most newer devices these days come with eSims enabled, so you might already have one. If you have one of the devices below or newer, you should have an eSim-compatible device.
- iPhone XS, 12, 11, SE (2nd generation), and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, Note 20, and newer models
- Google Pixel 5, 4, 3a, and newer models
- iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), and newer models
- Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2, and newer models
- Huawei Watch 3 and newer models
If you’re not sure whether your device supports eSims or not, no worries! You can easily check by dialing *#06# and hitting the call button.
If an eSim identification number (EID) pops up, then your device is compatible with eSims. This means you can enjoy all the benefits of eSims, including the convenience of not having to swap out physical SIM cards.
Data Needed When Traveling to Tanzania
If you’re heading to Tanzania, you may be wondering how much data you’ll need during your stay. The answer to that question varies depending on your usual data usage. In general, most people can manage with 5 GB of data per week.
However, if you’re planning on streaming videos, making video calls, or if you’re a heavy data user, you may want to consider a plan with more data, such as 15 GB per week.
To make sure you don’t run out of data during your trip, it’s important to check your device’s data usage report before you leave. This will give you a good idea of how much data you typically use and how much you’ll need for your trip.
The good news is that there are plenty of affordable eSim data plans available in Tanzania that you can buy to match your data needs and trip length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eSim work in Africa?
Yes, eSim does work in Africa. As eSims are rather new technology, they have not reached all the countries in Africa yet, but a lot of them do have eSims.
How do I get an eSim in Tanzania?
To get an eSim in Tanzania simply go online and buy one from your chosen eSim providers website. You will then get an email with your activation code.
How much does an eSIM cost in Tanzania?
eSims are free in Tanzania as they are included in the eSim data plan you buy from your provider. You are just paying for the eSim plan, not the eSim and the plan.
Does Vodacom Tanzania support eSIM?
Yes, Vodacom Tanzania does support eSim and you can buy an eSim from their website if you would like.
Does Tigo Tanzania have eSIM?
To the best of my knowledge (and Google’s), Tigo Tanzania does not yet offer an eSim but they will not be far behind Vodacom and Airtel who do.
