Tanzania is considered one of the wildest and most impressive destinations in Africa, with endless natural parks to visit, safaris and activities to do. To have your trip completely planned, you will only need to find an option to connect to the internet during your adventure. For this, the best alternative is, without a doubt, the eSIM cards for your trip to Tanzania.
However, before choosing an eSIM card to accompany you on your trip, several factors have to be taken into account, such as speed, data limit, technical support, price or duration of the plans. In this post we have compared the main brands such as Holafly, Airalo or Nomad, where we tell you their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a decision. We already can tell you that the eSIM cards with unlimited data like those of Holafly are a safe bet with no extra charges and you will also have 24/7 customer support.
Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Tanzania
Before choosing an eSIM card, we have to consider whether it suits our needs and interests for our trip. In the table below, you can find all the necessary information about each competing brand, so that you will find it easier to discover which is the best option for you.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days | No | Yes | Yes | Unlimited data on all plans | In English and other languages, direct chat and WhatsApp | 27€ – 79€ | 4,7 | 4,4 |
| Airalo | 7, 15 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB and 10 GB | In English, via a bot | 4,5$ – 26$ | 2,6 | 3,8 |
| Maya Mobile | 5, 10, 15 and 30 days | Yes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB and 10 GB | In English, via email | 35€ – 356€ | 4,7 | 3,2 |
| Ubigi | 30 days | No | No | Yes | 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 10GB | In English via chat | 10$ – 148$ | 4,4 | 3,5 |
| Nomad | 7 and 30 days | Sometimes | No | Yes | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB and 10GB | In English via email and App | 10$ – 37$ | 4,4 | 3,8 |
1. Holafly, eSIM for Tanzania with Unlimited Data and customer support in English
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different price points and contract durations. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. Most of their eSIM plans have unlimited data. 24/7 technical support in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. Very flexible pricing. They offer eSIM cards for all of Europe. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. Flexible duration of data plans: 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days. It has App where you can check the consumption and the remaining days of the contract. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They are one of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because you don’t run out of data and you don’t have to recharge. Holafly’s eSIM card for Tanzania does not allow data sharing. It is not possible to install it through their App. |
Holafly eSIM cards are usually the most popular option as they offer unlimited data plans. On your trip to Tanzania you can enjoy 6 unlimited data plans from 27€. It is not the cheapest on the market, but it offers a high quality connection and 24h customer service to contact you at any time, being able to communicate in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.
| Data plan | Price in Euros | Price in Dollars | Price in Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – Unlimited data | 27€ | 27$ | $599 |
| 7 days – Unlimited data | 34€ | 34$ | $699 |
| 10 days – Unlimited data | 37€ | 37$ | $799 |
| 15 days – Unlimited data | 47€ | 47$ | $999 |
| 20 days – Unlimited data | 57€ | 57$ | $1199 |
| 30 days – Unlimited data | 79€ | 79$ | $1599 |
To install your Holafly eSIM card, you just need to scan a QR code that will be sent to your email once you have purchased the card. To install it, you will have to write a code in the mobile settings and you will be ready to go.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but in the end they are profitable because all their plans have unlimited data and you will not need to recharge at any time during your trip. Here we leave you this ranking where we evaluate from 1 to 5 all the features of Holafly eSIM cards for Tanzania based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4,8 | 3 | 3,5 | 4,8 | 0 | 4,5 | 4,4 |
In this post you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our review of Holafly eSIM: is it worth it?
2. Airalo, the cheapest eSIM brand to travel to Tanzania
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Airalo eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. It is one of the cheapest brands in the market. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 190 countries. Their eSIM card allows you to share data with other devices. They allow you to recharge the eSIM. They have an App and you can buy and install the eSIM from it. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 10GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of the data plans is limited to 7, 15 and 30 days. Their services and technical support is exclusively in English and takes a long time to respond. |
Airalo is one of Holafly’s main competitors, having been founded in Singapore in 2019. Despite being eye-catching due to its low prices, the plans it offers tend to be low on gigabytes, and its technical service leaves much to be desired.
For a trip to Tanzania, you can choose from three data plans of between 1GB, 3GB, 5GB and 10 GB for 7, 15 and 30 days. Prices range from 4,5$ to 26$.
| Data plan | Price in U.S. Dollars |
|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 4,5$ |
| 15 days – 2 GB | 8$ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 11$ |
| 30 days – 5GB | 15,5$ |
| 30 days – 10GB | 26$ |
We have compared customer reviews and feedback on Trustpilot and found that Airalo has one of the lowest scores with 2,6. Here is the ranking of each aspect of Airalo and in this post you can also read about our opinion of the brand: Our review of Airalo eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4,5 | 3 | 3,8 |
3. Ubigi and their eSIM for Tanzania
| Andvantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Sim Options eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different length, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 160 countries. Some plans include calls and SMS. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 10GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. The features of eSIMs for the same country vary according to the brand contracted. The duration of data plans is limited to 30 days. Not all eSIM cards allow data recharging. Technical support depends on each brand and good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Speed depends on each eSIM card brand. There is no App to control data consumption. |
Ubigi is a provider of eSIM cards, not only for mobiles but for different devices, with coverage for more than 190 destinations and with variable plans depending on the days, amount of data and price.
As with Holafly, to install the card you will have to scan the code that you will receive to your email and, once done, you will only have to activate it in your mobile data and roaming. In addition, you will be able to access the app to check your data balance.
For Tanzania, Ubigi offers four data plans of between 1GB, 2GB, 3GB and 10GB, all for 30 days and ranging in price from $10 to $148 for a full year. In our opinion, the prices of this company are quite high for the services and the internet they offer.
| Data plan | Price in Euro | Price in U.S. Dollars | Price in Pounds | Price in Yens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days – 1 GB | 10€ | 10$ | 9 £ | 1500¥ |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 26€ | 26$ | 23£ | 3700¥ |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 58€ | 58$ | 52£ | 8200¥ |
| Monthly – 2 GB/month | 148€ | 148$/year | 128£ | 20800¥ |
In this table you can see how we evaluate each feature of Ubigi’s eSIM cards. And if you want to know our opinion about Ubigi eSIMs, check out this post: Our review of Ubigi eSIM: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3,5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,5 |
4. Maya Mobile, 30-day data plans for Tanzania
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have plans with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. Data sharing with other devices. Data plans for 5, 10, 15 and 30 days. |
| Inconveniences | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. They do not have an App Technical support only in English through a bot. |
MayaMobile is a company that stands out for offering 5, 10, 15 and 30-day plans, generally at affordable prices although with little variety of data.
In the case of Tanzania, MayaMobile offers four data plans with 500MB, 1GB, 3B and 5GB with prices ranging from €34 to €353. This last plan, which corresponds to 5GB of internet, seems to us quite exorbitant and impractical. In our opinion, the plans offered by MayaMobile for a trip to Tanzania do not provide much flexibility and affordable prices.
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its contracting and installation process, which is also done via a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case since they have at least two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 1 GB | 34 – 42€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 3 GB | 99 – 119€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 5 GB | 160 – 197€ |
| 5, 10, 15 and 30 days – 10 GB | 287 – 353€ |
In the case of Maya Mobile we found certain drawbacks in their eSIM cards, such as, for example, that their plans are very inflexible and only have a duration of 30 days. On Trustpilot you can see that the brand has an average score of 4.7, but there are very few reviews. Here you have this table with the score for each of the features of their eSIM cards.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4,5 | 3 | 3 | 3,2 |
5. Nomad and their App in Tanzania
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Nomad eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. The app is very convenient and allows you to recharge the eSIM. They offer a wide variety of eSIM cards with different prices and amount of gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 112 countries. Technical support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. |
| Inconveniences | Gigabytes are limited to 10GB or less and do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB). Their eSIM cards do not include calls and sms. The duration of data plans is limited to 7 or 30 days. Its services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Nomad’s eSIMs feature easy installation via a QR code, allowing you to connect instantly and without having to get rid of your original SIM card.
The brand offers data plans in more than 100 countries and also by continent so you can make use of your internet connection even if you are moving between different countries.
For a trip to Tanzania, you can choose from a total of 4 data plans. All of them last 7 or 30 days, which does not allow a lot of flexibility.
Their data limits range from 1GB, 3GB, 5 GB and 10GB. with prices ranging from $9,5 to $34,5.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars | Price in Dollars | Price in Pounds | Price in Canadian Dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days – 1 GB | 10$ | 9,5€ | 8£ | 14$ CAD |
| 30 days – 3 GB | 17$ | 16€ | 14£ | 23,5$ CAD |
| 30 days – 5 GB | 23$ | 21,5€ | 18,5£ | 31,5$ CAD |
| 30 days – 10 GB | 37$ | 34,5€ | 29,5£ | 50,5$ CAD |
However, we can say that the Nomad app is very useful for managing consumption and recharging in case we run out of data. Also, although it is only available in English, we can reach customer service through it.
You will need to recharge your eSIM before it expires if you want to top up your data; otherwise, you will need to install a new one if the contract time period has already passed. For more information on Nomad’s eSIM features, keep reading this post. You can also see our ranking of those features here.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3,5 | 3,5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3,6 |
Conclusion: what is the best eSIM for Tanzania
In this post we have seen that there are many important factors to take into account when comparing eSIM cards since, for each type of travel you will have different connection needs. That’s why we have prepared this section where we tell you based on our experience which eSIM card is best for Tanzania.
When we travel we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our vacation, that’s why eSIM cardswith unlimited data are the best option. In this case, the only brand offering unlimited eSIM data plans is Holafly. With some companies like Airalo you can top up the eSIM already installed through their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data.
We know it can be tricky to calculate the gigabytes you’ll need during your trip, so we’ve put together this table to help you estimate if you end up choosing an eSIM card with a data limit, which we don’t recommend.
| Plataform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,12GB – 0,18 GB | |
| 0,06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0,18 GB – 0,8 GB |
| Netflix | 0,3GB – 7GB |
| Youtube | 0,14GB – 1,7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0,8GB – 6GB |
The installation process of eSIM cards is always simple and fast, but it is true that there are some companies that make it even easier. The first thing is to check if your mobile is compatible with the eSIM of the brand. You can check this information on the website of each provider.
The purchase of the eSIM for Tanzania can be done through the web in the case of some brands such as Holafly, or through the app such as Airalo.
The only brands that allow you to do the installation through the App is Airalo, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you will be able to get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also do the installation scanning a QR code that you will receive in the mail as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Airalo or Maya Mobile.
It is also very important to value the technical service, because if a problem arises, it can be solved quickly. Many times when we travel we want to share data with other devices, but only a few providers offer it, such as Airalo.
But one of the most important aspects is price. The cheapest brands are Airalo and Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited and you’re likely to run out and have to pay again with the top-up. That’s why it’s sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get a eSIM card with unlimited data like Holafly’s to give you peace of mind and avoid having to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly eSIM cards are the best choice for travel to Tanzania because of their good value for money and the multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute
Other options to have internet in Tanzania?
Although there are numerous ways to connect to the internet when abroad, it’s worth considering getting an eSIM card and enjoying its many benefits. Here’s why!
1. Buy SIM card
Buying a SIM card used to be the most common option before the advent of eSIMs, mainly due to its convenience of being available at almost any airport. In the case of Tanzania, you can opt for different brands such as Tigo Tanzania or Vodamon, two of the most important telecommunications companies in the country, being able to buy them both at airports and stores in the city.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is fast. They can be purchased online or in physical stores. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Inconveniences | It always replaces your regular SIM, which can be lost or damaged. The cell phone must be opened and handled during the installation process. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to be delivered. When the contract of your travel SIM expires, it must be replaced by another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. |
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi for Tanzania
A Pocket WiFi is a wireless router that allows us to connect to the internet from any location. These are the advantages and disadvantages that this system, considered one of the most expensive ones, has.
| Advantages | Can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Contracts are usually of long duration. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay for rental, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts 6 hours maximum. If you use it with more people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
One of the most famous brands to buy a Pocket Wifi in Tanzania is Wifivox. You can hire a plan for the days or weeks you need, and the price will be adjusted to the duration of what you choose. For example, a 1GB plan for one day costs about 8€. Also, you have to take into account that you usually have to add shipping costs, insurance, extra batteries or car chargers.
This system for a short trip can be uneconomical. This is why it is usually recommended for longer stays or business trips where the device will always be kept in one place and can be shared among several people.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Tanzania
In Tanzania you can find free wifi hotspots in places like department stores, cafes, museums and hotels. However, the big disadvantage of public networks is their vulnerability to hacking. That is why it is recommended to limit their use to a minimum and avoid at all costs making transactions where your personal data is put at risk.
| Advantages | It is free of charge. There is nothing to install on our cell phones. |
| Inconveniences | It is difficult to find free access wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or give connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and share your personal data. Some free wifi networks have limited time. You have to be near the router to connect. These networks are vulnerable to hacking. |
4. Enable roaming for Tanzania
Data roaming is a service offered by phone companies to continue using your local data plan when traveling to Tanzania.The cost of this service is usually high, so it is advisable to check with your usual carrier before embarking on your trip, to avoid surprises at the end of the month.
However, inhabitants of countries within the European Union can continue to use the data contracted in their country at no additional cost.
| Advantages | There is no need to install anything on our cell phone. There is no need to contract any extra service. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Inconveniences | This is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without us realizing it. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
Frequently asked questions about how to have internet in Tanzania
ESIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile when traveling abroad without having to remove your regular SIM as with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip incorporated in the latest generation of cell phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the web or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, duration and gigabytes of data plan and pay securely.
The eSIM installation and activation is a really easy procedure that will take you just a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your cell phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. Then the camera will open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. Then the installation and activation of your card will begin.
This process must be carried out with internet connection, so it is recommended to do it before embarking on the trip or upon arrival at the hotel.
Most models of common brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also supported. However, it is best to check on the website of each provider, where they will tell you all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical stores or online, whose delivery period ranges from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same-day express shipping.
Most companies offer data capped packages. Holafly, unlike the rest offers a wide variety of unlimited data packages.
To activate the eSIM card you need to have internet connection, so it is recommended to activate it just before you start your trip.
Data packages usually have a duration between 7 and 30 days, however, there are providers such as Holafly that offer more flexible packages between 5 days and 3 months.
Unlimited data plans usually do not allow data sharing, but those plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
Data on unlimited plans is really unlimited. Note in any case that local mobile operators may temporarily reduce the speed if you make very intensive use of applications such as Netflix or Youtube. These limits are more intended to avoid network saturation by a few users.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly markets eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences posted on Trustpilot, with an “Excellent” rating and 4.7 average score.
SIM Options has positive and negative reviews, and an average score on Trustpilot lower than Holafly, at 4,4. SIM Options is a Hong Kong-based company.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Truspilot are good, out of 4.7 average rating.
The reviews of Airalo on Truspilot are good, out of 2.6 average rating.
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