Best eSIM for traveling to Tanzania in 2025
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Tanzania is an excellent place for a vacation. Safaris in the Serengeti, journeys up Mount Kilimanjaro, and holidays in Zanzibar are all great activities for your free time in a country many call “Africa in a nutshell.”
All that traveling requires an internet connection for Google Maps, instant messaging, social media, and managing your bookings. This usually means high roaming fees or getting a new SIM. Luckily, an eSIM is a solution that will enable you save money while traveling across the country.
An eSIM is a virtual version of the card in your phone. This means that you can quickly set up a cheap roaming plan, without having to take out your actual SIM. I personally looked through the best eSIM options for travel in Tanzania, comparing their offers. In this article, I overview each provider’s data plans, pricing, and coverage.
Top 5 best eSIM providers for Tanzania
- Saily – best eSIM for Tanzania
- Airalo – cheapest Tanzania eSIM
- Jetpac – reliable Tanzania eSIM with an African plan
- aloSIM – eSIM for Tanzania with a phone number
- Nomad – affordable Tanzania eSIM for long trips
Our team of researchers thoroughly tests eSIM services using a clear and consistent process. We combine first-hand experience with expert analysis to evaluate features, performance, coverage, and pricing - so you can make confident decisions before your trip. Learn how we test eSIMs.
Things to consider when choosing eSIM for travel in Tanzania
When traveling anywhere in the world, I always think about a few factors that will help me decide which eSIM deal is the best for me. Tanzania is no different, but some details may differ. Here’s what I believe you should keep in mind when picking the best eSIM for Tanzania:
- Coverage. Check the coverage and top speeds for each provider. Different networks have different strengths. For example, Airtel (formerly Zain) offers strong coverage in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and other northern national parks, while Zantel offers the best coverage ion Zanzibar.
- Data allowance. The amount of data you’ll use will depend on a few factors. For example, if your hotel offers free Wi-Fi, it’s likely you won’t need massive amounts of data outside of it. However, if you don’t have access to free internet and want to work, play games, or stream videos, you’re going to need a larger data plan.
- Compatibility. Always check whether the given eSIM provider is compatible with your device. The eSIMs on my list usually supports most modern Android and iOS smartphones, but it’s always worth double-checking.
- Trip duration. eSIM plans offer varying durations. Take your trip duration into account when choosing your provider.
- Call and messages. Consider whether you need to have an active phone number. Not all eSIM providers offer calling and messages, and the plans are often more expensive when it’s included.
- Pricing. Affordability is important, and you should always think about price-to-quality ratio. Ask yourself whether the price offered by a given provider is worth the features they’re bringing to the table, and decide based on your budget and needs.
Top 5 eSIM providers for Tanzania – detailed list
Along with the Cybernews research team, I compared the best eSIM providers for Tanzania with each other in order to find the top offer for your vacation.
1. Saily – best all-around eSIM for Tanzania
| Rating: | |
| Supports 5G networks: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $4.27 (1GB, 7 days) |
| Country coverage: | 200+ destinations |
Saily is my top pick because of its low prices, simple-to-use app, and excellent 5G coverage across Tanzania. Plus, it was developed by Nord Security, known for creating software such as NordVPN and NordPass, which made me confident in its security. In my experience, Saily is a great tool for protecting your privacy, thanks to the built-in virtual location tools and an ad blocker.
Network coverage. Saily works with multiple undisclosed network providers in Tanzania, guaranteeing 5G, 4G, and LTE internet depending on location.
Data plans. Saily offers 4 data plans for Tanzania ranging from 1GB for 7 days to 10GB for 30 days. It also offers an African plan and a Global plan covering Tanzania.
Price. Saily plans for Tanzania start from $4.27/GB. Its African plan starts at $25.17/GB, and the Global plan starts at $8.54/GB.
| Plan | Price |
| 1GB for 7 days | $4.27 |
| 3GB for 30 days | $11.39 |
| 5GB for 30 days | $16.14 |
| 10GB for 30 days | $27.54 |
Ease of use and activation. I found Saily to have the most straightforward activation process. You simply install the Saily app, purchase a plan, and install your eSIM. After following on-screen instructions, my phone was set up to switch to Saily data upon arrival in Tanzania, meaning I wouldn’t need to use my data plan in Africa. I also appreciated that Saily did not require me to give any of my personal information to start using its services.
Customer support. Saily offers a wide knowledge base along with live customer support chat and a ticketing system. Whenever I needed to contact the Saily support team, its staff was quick and helpful in their responses.
2. Airalo – best cheap Tanzania eSIM
| Rating: | |
| Supports 5G networks: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $4.50 (1GB, 7 days) |
| Country coverage: | 200+ destinations |
I picked Airalo due to its excellent pricing, especially on longer plans. It also offers some of the best connectivity options in Tanzania, thanks to its network partners, making it a great choice for travelers on a budget.
Network coverage. Airalo uses Tanzacomm services offered by Vodacom, which has a reputation for the broadest coverage in Tanzania. Depending on your location, it provides 5G, 4G, and LTE speeds.
Data plans. Airalo offers 5 data plans, ranging from 1GB for 7 days to 10GB for 30 days. It also offers an African plan and a Global plan, which includes calling and texting.
Price. Airalo offers Tanzania plans starting at $4.50/GB, African plans starting from $27.00/GB, and Global plans starting at $9.00/1GB for a data-only plan, or $15.00/GB if you want texting and calling.
| Plan | Price |
| 1GB for 7 days | $4.50 |
| 2GB for 15 days | $8.00 |
| 3GB for 30 days | $11.00 |
| 5GB for 30 days | $15.50 |
| 10GB for 30 days | $26.00 |
Ease of use and activation. Airalo offers simple activation similar to Saily. Simply download the app, purchase a plan, and tap the install button to start the installation process. I like that Airalo also has well-explained alternative methods, including a QR code scan and manual activation.
Customer support. Airalo offers useful FAQs, and in case of trouble, I can always count on Airalo’s 24/7 live chat support to solve any issues I run into, as in my experience, they’re always helpful and on point.
3. Jetpac – best Tanzania eSIM for African plans
| Rating: | |
| Supports 5G networks: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $8.00 (1GB, 7 days) |
| Country coverage: | 200+ destinations |
I picked Jetpac due to its excellent African deals, which are by far the cheapest on the list. Covering 7 countries, including Tanzania, Jetpac is the best pick if you plan to visit more than one country in Africa during your vacation. It doesn't offer many additional features, but it does offer airport lounge access in case your flight is delayed, which is a nice touch.
Network coverage. Jetpac uses the Airtel (formerly Zain) network to deliver country-wide coverage. The network is known for its strengths in the northern part of the country, including Serengeti and Ngorongoro. However, it is not as strong as Vodacom in destinations like Zanzibar.
Data plans. Jetpac doesn't offer any country-specific plans for Tanzania, instead focusing on its African plan, which covers Tanzania and 6 other countries. Unfortunately, its global plan doesn't cover Tanzania.
Price. Jetpac's pricing for Tanzania starts at $8.00/1GB for 4 days, and goes up as high as $101.00/20GB for 30 days. Given that these plans cover 6 other African countries, Jetpac is a very affordable provider.
| Plan | Price |
| 1GB for 4 days | $8.00 |
| 3GB for 7 days | $25.00 |
| 5GB for 30 days | $35.00 |
| 10GB for 30 days | $58.50 |
| 20GB for 30 days | $101.00 |
Ease of use and activation. I found Jetpac's activation to be a bit less user-friendly than Saily and Airalo, as it required me to scan a QR code it provided to install the eSIM I chose. The instructions were clear enough, and everything worked fine, but I did need a second device for it to work, which is a tiny bit frustrating.
Customer support. Jetpac offers a pretty large knowledge base offering answers to common questions. Unfortunately, its WhatsApp live chat isn't 24/7, working from 11 PM EST to 6 PM EST the next day, leaving a 5-hour gap. When active, however, I found the support to be kind and helpful. Jetpac also offers email support, guaranteeing a response within 24 hours.
4. aloSIM – best Tanzania eSIM for calling and texting
| Rating: | |
| Supports 5G networks: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $8.00 (1GB, 7 days) |
| Country coverage: | 200+ destinations |
I picked aloSIM because it offers an international phone number from Hushed along with its decent data plans. This makes it the best choice for folks who need a traditional phone number with their eSIM.
Network coverage. Similarly to Jetpac, aloSIM uses Airtel infrastructure to provide its data. This makes it a great choice for visiting locations like the Serengeti or Ngorongoro national parks, but it isn't quite as great if you're heading to Zanzibar, where Airtel doesn't offer 5G infrastructure.
Data plans. aloSIM offers 6 Tanzanian data plans, ranging from 1GB for 7 days to 10GB for 30 days. It doesn't offer a regional African plan or a global plan, limiting your options if you're traveling across multiple countries. All plans come with the $1.00 credit for the Hushed app, which lets you call and text with an international phone number.
Prices. aloSIM is more expensive than most other providers on the list, offering 1GB for 7 days for $8.00, which is similar to Jetpac's African plans. The longer-term plans are also on the pricey side, with Saily and Airalo easily offering cheaper services.
| Plan | Price |
| 1GB for 7 days | $8.00 |
| 2GB for 15 days | $14.00 |
| 3GB for 30 days | $20.50 |
| 5GB for 30 days | $31.50 |
| 10GB for 30 days | $48.50 |
Ease of use and activation. Similarly to Jetpac, aloSIM also required me to scan a QR code to install the eSIM. The installation instructions were clear, and the app design was very simple and user-friendly, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the need for an additional device does make it slightly less usable than Saily and Airalo.
Customer support. aloSIM offers 24/7 live chat and email support and an extensive knowledge base filled with FAQs and tutorials. Whenever I contacted aloSIM, I was met with prompt and friendly responses.
5. Nomad – best Tanzania eSIM for long trips
| Rating: | |
| Supports 5G networks: | Yes |
| Starting price: | $10.00 (1GB, 7 days) |
| Country coverage: | 200+ destinations |
Nomad's not the best choice for short trips, but I picked it for my list because of its attractive pricing for longer travels. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend Nomad if you require access to fast internet, as it doesn't offer 5G speeds in Tanzania.
Network coverage. Like Jetpac and aloSIM, Nomad uses the Airtel network for its data usage in Tanzania. Unfortunately, unlike its competitors, it doesn't offer 5G speeds, instead bringing only 4G/LTE speeds, which will be a noticeable difference in areas with strong Airtel coverage.
Data plans. Nomad offers plans for Tanzania in its single-country plan ranging from 1GB for 7 days to 20GB for 45 days. It also offers data in Tanzania with its 11 country African plan and its short-term Global plan. Unfortunately, its long-term Global-EX plans do not cover Tanzania.
Prices. Nomad's prices are on the more expensive side, particularly with its 1GB 7-day plan, which costs $10.00. However, its larger data plans are more affordable, with its 10GB 30-day plan being cheaper than Jetpac and aloSIM, while still being more expensive than Saily and Airalo.
| Plan | Price |
| 1GB for 7 days | $10.00 |
| 3GB for 30 days | $17.00 |
| 5GB for 30 days | $23.00 |
| 10GB for 30 days | $37.00 |
| 20GB for 45 days | $59.00 |
Activation and ease of use. I found Nomad's app pretty user-friendly and straightforward. Like Jetpac and aloSIM, it uses a QR-code-based activation process, and its eSIM activates automatically when you reach Tanzania.
Customer support. Nomad offers an AI-supported 24/7 live chat, as well as an extensive knowledge base. I found that these two support methods usually solved my issues without any problems thanks to very helpful customer support agents who join if AI can’t solve the issue.
Best eSIM providers for Tanzania compared
As you can see, while all eSIM providers guarantee connectivity in Tanzania, slight differences make each better for different scenarios. Check out my breakdown below to see which one suits your needs best.
| Provider | GB per plan | Plan duration | Starting price | Calls and texts | Customer support | Rating |
| 1. Saily | 1-10GB | 7-30 days | $4.27 | ❌ No | 24/7 live chat, email, knowledge base | |
| 2. Airalo | 1-10GB | 7-30 days | $4.50 | ✅ Yes | 24/7 live chat, email, knowledge base | |
| 3. Jetpac | 1-20GB | 4-30 days | $8.00 | ❌ No | Live chat, knowledge base | |
| 4. aloSIM | 1-10GB | 7-30 days | $8.00 | ✅ Yes | 24/7 live chat, email, knowledge base | |
| 5. Nomad | 1-20GB | 7-45 days | $10.00 | ❌ No | 24/7 live chat, email, knowledge base |
How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for Tanzania
Along with the Cybernews team, we've tested 11 eSIM providers, to see which ones offer the best plans for people looking to travel to Tanzania. We focused on the following aspects when creating this list:
- Coverage in Tanzania (20%). I checked each provider's coverage in Tanzania to ensure that you'll have consistent connectivity during your travels.
- Network connection (20%). I looked at the network connectivity each provider offers, whether they support 5G, 4G, LTE, or 2G speeds in the region.
- Data plans (20%). I reviewed how extensive the data plan offer is in terms of the data allowance and plan length.
- Price (20%). I checked each provider's pricing, taking prices for different data plans and their price-to-quality ratio into account.
- Compatibility (10%). I researched how wide the compatibility offered by each provider is.
- Customer service (10%). I tested the customer service support offered by each provider to determine whether their agents are helpful and how quickly they respond.
Does my phone support eSIM?
eSIM is a relatively new technology, which means that not all smartphones will support it. That's why, before deciding to purchase an eSIM, it's good to check whether your smartphone is supported. Most providers give you an easy way to check compatibility, and you can also read our detailed eSIM compatibility guide. However, if you're using an iPhone or Samsung, here's a quick breakdown.
Not all iPhones support eSIM compatibility; however, most new models do. eSIM was introduced to iPhone users with iPhone XS/XR. If you have one of those models or a newer phone, you'll be able to use eSIM. Follow our iPhone eSIM installation guide.
Samsung has supported eSIMs in its Galaxy flagships since Samsung Galaxy S20. It also supports eSIM on all its foldable devices, like the Z Fold or Z Flip. Note that some regional limitations may apply, so be sure to double-check.
Another way to check whether your device supports eSIM is to head to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager and check whether you see an Add eSIM option. You can also search for your IMEI number, and if you see an eSIM IMEI, you'll know your phone supports eSIM technology.
How to activate eSIM in Tanzania
Activating eSIMs is usually easy, and providers usually use either an in-app automatic install, a QR scanning method, or, in rare cases, a manual eSIM setup. I'll go through each of these methods in the guides below.
Installing an eSIM using app-based activation is by far the simplest process for activating your eSIM
- Sign up, and choose a Tanzania or regional plan that suits your needs – I recommend Saily eSIM with 5% OFF for any plan
- Download and install the app from your eSIM provider
- Tap Activate to start the activation process
The eSIM will then be installed on your device. You may need to change some settings by following the app’s instructions.
Installing by scanning a QR code is also pretty simple. However, you’re going to need a second screen, like a laptop, tablet, or phone, to make it work. Here’s how to do it:
- Select your data plan and purchase it
- Download your eSIM provider’s app
- After purchase, you will receive a QR code via email, along with installation and activation instructions
- Scan the QR code and follow the instructions
To activate the eSIM, set it as your primary data SIM and enable roaming
Manual eSIM activation is required by some providers. It can also be used as a troubleshooting step or may be required if you don't have a second screen you can scan your QR code on. Here's how to do it:
- Purchase an eSIM plan from your provider’s website or app
- You'll get an eSIM activation code, along with an SM-DP+ address and additional details
- On iOS devices, go to Settings > Mobile Data, then type in the provided eSIM details / On Android, navigate to Settings > Network and Internet, and look for the option to add a new eSIM manually
- Follow the provider’s detailed guide on how to install your eSIM
Following the steps should have you set up in no time.
How to make calls with eSIM in Tanzania
To make calls using an eSIM in Tanzania, you have to pick the right provider. Here are a few different options on how to make calls with an eSIM in Tanzania:
- Find an eSIM provider that offers a phone number for calls. Some eSIM providers, like aloSIM, give users a phone number for calls and texts.
- Use your domestic SIM card along with the eSIM. You can still use your regular SIM card for making phone calls. However, this may be expensive.
- Use VoIP apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime. By using VoIP apps, you'll be able to use your data plan to make phone calls.
Benefits of using an eSIM in Tanzania
Using an eSIM offers a great way to keep your travel roaming costs low, without sacrificing access to the internet. Here are the top reasons why I use an eSIM while traveling:
- Instant data access. By using an eSIM, you can quickly access the internet without worrying about costs.
- Convenience. eSIMs activate immediately upon arriving at your destination – granted, you set them up in advance – ensuring internet access throughout your travels.
- Retaining your number. Using an eSIM means that your phone will still be online and able to receive messages and phone calls when you're abroad.
- No physical SIM is required. Physical SIMs can be annoying to use, as they require you to find a shop and swap between your original card and new card.
- Cheaper costs and faster speeds. eSIMs are often cheaper than physical cards, and give you access to more networks, bringing 5G speeds to
- Easy data top-up. With an eSIM, you can top up your internet data fast, without worrying about payment methods or finding a physical vendor.
Best eSIM for Tanzania: final thoughts
Whether you're planning a wild safari or a simple stay at a beautiful beach, getting a Tanzania eSIM is an excellent addition to your travel checklist. The right eSIM will save you a lot of hassle and money, while taking only a few minutes to set up.
My favorite eSIMs are Saily and Airalo. Our in-house testing shows that they both offer fast and reliable internet in Tanzania, with user-friendly apps that make activating them simple. They also have attractive prices and extra features like Saily's ad blocker or Airalo's calling and testing capabilities.
FAQ
Does eSIM work in Tanzania?
Yes, eSIM works in Tanzania. Several providers offer coverage across the country, including Airalo and Jetpac. My top pick is Saily due to its competitive pricing, excellent coverage, and easy-to-use app.
What's the best eSIM for Tanzania?
I found that the best eSIM for Tanzania is Saily. It offers the best prices, while also adding extras like virtual locations for rerouting your traffic and an ad blocker for blocking those annoying ads.
What is the cheapest eSIM for Tanzania?
The cheapest eSIMs for Tanzania are Saily and Airalo, depending on the plan length you need. Saily is better for shorter stays, while Airalo has attractive longer-term offers.
Can I make calls with an eSIM card in Tanzania?
Yes, you can make calls with some eSIM cards in Tanzania. If you need calling and texting capabilities, I suggest using Airalo or aloSIM. If you use an eSIM without a phone number, you can always use a VoIP solution like WhatsApp or FaceTime.
