eSIM Tanzania: compare, buy, and travel connected

Are you ready for your trip to Tanzania? If you already have all your bags ready to start your adventure in the famous national park of Tanzania, we recommend that, during your trip, you stay connected to the internet to upload your best moments and share them with your loved ones using the new eSIM Tanzania.

Don’t you know what an eSIM is? Don’t worry, in Roaming, we will show you everything you need to buy, activate, and use your eSIM during your trip. We have all the information you need, from the requirements that you must meet to use it, to the national operators that offer you an eSIM for Tanzania.

Requirements to install the eSIM Tanzania

You need to know some of these requirements are because some smartphone manufacturers don’t include eSIM technology in their cell phones.

• The first and foremost thing you should have is an eSIM-enabled smartphone. In addition, you must make sure that your cell phone is compatible with the eSIM that you want to buy since not all eSIMs are compatible with all smartphones with eSIM technology.
• During the purchase process, you must have an email to receive the eSIM.
• When activating the eSIM, it’s essential that you have an internet connection, since your eSIM profile will be downloaded from the operator’s servers.
• In some cases, you will have to install an app from the eSIM provider to activate the eSIM or to use it.

Cellular providers of eSIM cards to travel to Tanzania

Now you know the requirements that you have to consider to buy and activate your eSIM in Tanzania. Next, we will introduce you to the main providers of virtual SIM or eSIM cards. These eSIM providers are oriented to the sale of eSIMs for tourism or business trips abroad. This means that the eSIMs they offer have a temporary duration of one month on average.

• Holafly
• GlobaleSIM
• SIM2Fly

Prices and data plans of eSIM providers to travel to Tanzania

After checking the main providers of eSIM cards to travel to Tanzania we will show you the prices offered by these providers to connect to the internet during your trip. You have to keep in mind that the price of these eSIMs depends on the amount of data on the eSIM, the days of validity, and most importantly, the coverage.

Holafly plans and prices in Tanzania

• 5GB for 30 days at $44 USD

SIM2FLY plans and prices in Tanzania

• 6GB for 15 days at $26 USD

GlobaleSIM plans and prices in Tanzania

• 10GB for 30 days at $30 USD

Comparison of eSIM providers for Tanzania

Features of the eSIM to travel to Tanzania

If you don’t know much about eSIMs and what they offer, don’t worry! We have a list of the main features and details that you will be able to count on during your trip. Some of these features are similar to the international SIM card. But these are two totally different products.

• Most eSIMs only offer data, meaning you can’t make or receive analog calls. However, if you want to communicate by voice, we recommend you use apps like Skype or WhatsApp.
• The eSIM can only be installed once on your cell phone, so, if you have any problem with your eSIM, we recommend that you don’t delete it before consulting your provider.
• Your Android or iPhone smartphone becomes a dual-SIM cell phone because you can use the eSIM Tanzania and your traditional SIM card simultaneously.
• Although you can add multiple data plans to your smartphone, you can only use one at a time.  

Coverage of the eSIM to travel to Tanzania

One of the most important features that you have to consider when purchasing your eSIM is the coverage of the eSIM in the country you are going to travel to, which in this case is Tanzania. Why is this important? Because, if the eSIM doesn’t have good coverage in Tanzania, it means that you will constantly have internet problems, and there will even be areas where you won’t be able to connect to the internet.

To verify if the eSIM Tanzania that you are going to buy has good coverage we recommend that before buying it you check the cellular network to which you are going to connect in Tanzania. If the cellular network belongs to one of the biggest operators in Tanzania like Tigo, Vodacom, Airtel it means that you’re going to have good coverage.

In the case of Holafly’s eSIM Tanzania, you will connect to the Airtel cellular network. This is a good thing because Airtel is one of the best operators in Tanzania. If you want to know more about cellular coverage in Tanzania, we recommend that you take a look at the cellular coverage maps that we have for you.

Airtel 3G coverage map in Tanzania

Tigo 4G and 3G coverage map in Tanzania

Vodacom 4G and 3G coverage map in Tanzania

Local cellular operators offering eSIM in Tanzania

Currently, none of the cellular operators in Tanzania offer eSIM to their customers. This is expected to change in the future. However, in the meantime, we recommend that if you are interested in buying an eSIM with a local operator in Tanzania or any other destination, keep in mind that these eSIMs are intended for residents only.

The eSIMs that are usually offered by local operators are very similar to normal and traditional SIM cards because they include a cell phone number that allows you to make calls and send or receive messages independently of a physical SIM card.

However, as we mentioned before, getting one of these eSIMs is quite complicated because you have to meet certain requirements and you also have to carry out certain procedures. At the moment, no operator has this product available.

FAQ about eSIM in Tanzania

If you have any doubts, then we will answer the most often asked questions that travelers usually have about their eSIM to connect to the internet in Tanzania.  

Carolina Silva