eSIM for Tanzania

Viasimo's Tanzania eSIM starts at $1.79 for 100 MB over 7 days, running on Airtel with 5G where available. Plans last 1 to 180 days, arrive by email in minutes and install from your phone's settings, with no app.

Works everywhere in Tanzania

Arusha
Dar es Salaam Region
Dodoma
Geita
Iringa
Kagera
Katavi

Select your planIn stock

Duration

Quantity

Unlimited data · 3 Days$29.99

Unlimited data · 3 Days ×1

$29.99

Going to more than one country? See regional plans

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Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID number, your phone takes an eSIM. Most phones sold since 2019 do.

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Network

Which networks does the Tanzania eSIM use?

Host networks: Airtel

Your eSIM picks one automatically; you do not choose or switch between them.

Data: 100 MB – 20 GB or unlimited
Validity: 1–180 days
Speed: 4G LTE / 5G
Hotspot / tethering: Supported on most devices
Activation: Automatic on arrival
Speed management: Roughly 2-3 GB per day at full speed, sometimes less depending on the local carrier, then reduced
Top-ups: Add more data from your account, before the plan expires
Text messages (SMS): Data only: use an app for verification codes
Connects via: Singapore
Unused validity: 180 days before it must be installed

Setting up Buy, scan the QR code we email you, and switch on the travel line when you land. How it works

Choosing a plan

How much data do you need?

The allowances below are our sizing recommendations, not measurements. The plan beside each one is the cheapest option on this page that covers it.

Recommended data allowances matched to the plans sold for this destination
You are	Plan for	Cheapest plan that covers it
LightMaps, messaging and the occasional lookup	About 1 GB a week	$6.991 GB, 7 days
TypicalMaps, social, photos and some browsing	About 3 to 7 GB a week	$26.005 GB, 30 days
HeavyVideo streaming, video calls and uploads	10 GB a week or more	$45.9910 GB, 30 days
Working or sharingTethering a laptop, calls and cloud sync	20 GB a week or more	$64.99Unlimited, 7 days

Work it out from your own habits

What a week abroad costs

eSIM, local SIM or roaming?

Charged per day

Your carrier roaming

Queue and plastic

A SIM at the airport

$1.79

Viasimo, one bundle

Only the Viasimo figure is a price: it comes from today’s live catalog. The other two rows are directional, not quoted rates.

About this eSIM

Most Tanzania trips are really two or three trips stitched together, and each one has a different relationship with the network. City and coastal time is well connected, including 5G in places. Safari time is patchy by nature, because national parks are large, empty and deliberately undeveloped. Mountain time is its own case again. Buy data for the whole stay, then decide in advance which days you are willing to be unreachable.

Getting online when you land

The two main entry points are Julius Nyerere International at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International between Arusha and Moshi, and both sit within coverage. Install the eSIM before you fly, then turn the line on at the gate and let it register while you queue for immigration formalities.

Getting online early is worth the small effort, because the first hour of a Tanzanian trip usually involves confirming a transfer. Safari operators and hotels here run on WhatsApp, drivers get reassigned, and flight times on the small aircraft that link the parks and the coast move around. Being reachable at the airport avoids a lot of standing about.

If you are heading straight to Zanzibar, the same applies at the island's airport, and on the ferry from Dar you will hold signal for much of the crossing.

The networks you'll be on

Airtel is the operator this plan uses here, running 4G LTE and 5G where it has been rolled out. That gives a travel plan a good connection along the coast and in the larger towns, where LTE is the normal experience and 5G shows up in the denser urban areas.

The generation matters less than the geography. A strong LTE signal in Stone Town will feel quick; the same handset in the middle of a conservation area will be hunting for anything at all. Treat the network tier as a city feature and the coverage map as the thing that actually governs your trip.

One honest limitation: mobile money is how a great deal of everyday payment works in Tanzania, and those services are tied to a local mobile number and a registered account. A visitor data plan does not give you one, so carry cards and cash for the things that are not payable any other way.

Where coverage holds, and where it thins

Dar es Salaam is thoroughly covered, as are Arusha, Moshi, Dodoma and Mwanza. The Zanzibar archipelago does well too: Stone Town holds a good signal, and the beach villages along the north and east coasts are generally served, though the smaller lanes and the far tips of the island can be weaker than the resort you are standing in suggests.

The parks are where you drop off. In the Serengeti, coverage exists in pockets around gates, airstrips and camps, and disappears across most of the plains. The Ngorongoro rim behaves differently from the crater floor. The southern and western circuits, including Ruaha and the vast Nyerere ecosystem, are sparser still, and the far west toward Lake Tanganyika is remote in every sense.

Kilimanjaro is a curious case. Because the mountain is high and looks out over populated country, climbers sometimes find a usable signal at exposed camps and none in the forest below. That is unpredictable enough that you should not build anything around it. Assume the climb is offline and treat a bar of signal as a bonus.

What you'll actually use data for here

Trip logistics dominate. Confirming pickups, checking the day's plan with a guide, rearranging a domestic flight, sending a copy of a booking to somebody who wants to see it. Camps often have wifi at the mess tent, which is fine for messages and useless for uploads, so a data line for the drive in and out is a real convenience.

You will also want translation and reference material. Swahili greetings go a long way, wildlife and bird guides are far more useful offline than online, and a mapping app with your route saved lets you follow the drive between parks without service. On the coast it is the ordinary holiday stuff: tide times, dhow trips, restaurant bookings and a camera roll that grows quickly.

Before you fly

Download offline maps for the parks and the roads between them, plus Zanzibar as a separate area. Save your operator's number, your camp names and your flight references somewhere that opens without a connection.

Keep your home line active for bank verification texts, make the travel eSIM your data line so nothing quietly roams at home rates, and turn off automatic photo backup before the safari; wildlife photography plus background sync is the fastest way to empty an allowance.

Bring more power than you think you need. Camps often run generators for part of the day only, vehicle charging points get shared, and a phone doing navigation and photography all day will not last until dinner on its own.

Unlimited runs at full speed up to a fair-use limit, then continues slower.

Before you buy

Important to know

This is a data-only eSIM. It carries no calls or SMS on its own number.
Your existing number stays on your primary SIM, so calls and verification texts keep working.
Your phone must support eSIM, and some carrier-locked phones cannot install one.
Signal varies with location, terrain, congestion and your handset. Dense urban areas are consistently better served than remote ones.
5G only works where the host network has deployed it and your phone supports it. Everywhere else it falls back to 4G LTE.
The eSIM selects a host network automatically. You cannot pick or switch between them.
Unlimited plans run at full speed up to a fair-use limit, then continue at a reduced speed. Read the fair usage policy

Looking for more information?

Frequently asked questions

Does an eSIM work in Tanzania?

Yes. Your Tanzania eSIM connects automatically the moment you arrive, with no roaming fees and nothing to set up at the airport. The host networks it can use are Airtel. Coverage runs on 4G LTE and 5G where the network has rolled it out, and falls back to 4G elsewhere.

Do I get 5G in Tanzania?

Yes, where it has been deployed. 5G runs on Airtel in Tanzania, and your eSIM uses it automatically on a 5G-capable phone, dropping back to 4G LTE outside covered areas. No country is covered everywhere, so 5G availability varies by location.

Was the internet shut down in Tanzania during the 2025 election?

Yes. Access to X was reported restricted nationwide in the days before the 29 October 2025 vote, and on election day connectivity was severely disrupted, with reports of a near-nationwide shutdown. A curfew in Dar es Salaam was lifted on 4 November. A government shutdown affects all networks, including the one your eSIM uses, so keep key numbers saved offline.

Do I need Tanzanian government travel insurance for Zanzibar?

Yes. Non-resident visitors to mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar must hold the government's inbound travel insurance, which covers stays of up to 92 days. You only need to buy it at your first point of entry. For Zanzibar, it is sold by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation on arrival or online in advance at visitzanzibar.go.tz. Keep a copy on your phone.

Can I post photos of protests in Tanzania?

No. The UK Foreign Office says it is illegal to take or share photos or video of protests and violence, and that people have been detained over posts about the political situation. Security services may check phones for election-related content. Avoid political discussion online, and keep your phone away from demonstrations.

Are plastic bags allowed in my luggage when flying to Tanzania?

No. Tanzania bans plastic carrier bags, and travellers arriving by air must hand them over at the airport. The clear zip-lock bags used for liquids at airport security are exempt. Pack shopping and laundry in fabric or paper bags instead, so you don't lose time at arrivals in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar.

How much data do I need for 7 days in Tanzania?

For 7 days in Tanzania, Viasimo sells 100 MB for $1.79, 500 MB for $3.59, 1 GB for $6.99, and unlimited data for $64.99. Our sizing recommendation, not a measurement: maps, messaging and the occasional lookup, about 1 GB a week; maps, social, photos and some browsing, about 3 to 7 GB a week. The data calculator on this site works it out from how you actually use your phone.

Installing, keeping your number, topping up and hotspot work the same everywhere: see how it works →

Know before you go

Tanzania: what to know before you land

In Tanzania your eSIM connects to Airtel, with 5G where it is available. Two recent issues affect anyone relying on mobile data. Around the October 2025 election, the internet was cut across almost the whole country and X was restricted. And the government now requires every non-resident visitor to buy its own inbound travel insurance on arrival.

Emergency: 112
Plugs: DG 230V
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Main airports

DAR Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam
JRO Kilimanjaro International Airport
ZNZ Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar

Apps worth having WhatsAppUberBoltGoogle Maps

eVisa, inbound insurance and plastic bags at DAR, JRO and ZNZ

Tanzania's paperwork has moved online, so sort it out before you travel. Apply for an eVisa at visa.immigration.go.tz. The UK High Commission no longer issues visas. Single-entry tourist visas are still sold on arrival at the main entry points, but you may be asked for proof of onward travel.

Non-resident visitors must also hold the Tanzanian government's own inbound travel insurance, which covers stays of up to 92 days. Your own travel policy does not replace it. You only buy it at your first point of entry. If that is Zanzibar, it comes from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, either on arrival or online in advance through visitzanzibar.go.tz. Save the certificate on your phone and as a printout.

Tanzania bans plastic carrier bags, and air arrivals must hand them over. The clear zip-lock bags used for airport security are exempt. You will need a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk.

Switch on your eSIM after landing at Julius Nyerere (DAR), Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Abeid Amani Karume (ZNZ), so you can show documents and message your safari operator straight away.

Internet shutdowns and X restrictions around the 2025 election

Tanzania has a recent record of restricting the internet during political tension. Before the general election on 29 October 2025, access to X was reported to be restricted nationwide. On election day, connectivity was severely disrupted, with reports of an almost nationwide shutdown. Protests broke out in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Tunduma, a curfew was imposed in Dar es Salaam, and it was lifted on 4 November. The UK Foreign Office also reported widespread cash and fuel shortages after the election.

Your eSIM connects through Airtel's local network. A government-ordered shutdown affects every network in the country, so if the internet is cut, it will be cut for you as well. The Foreign Office advises writing down important phone numbers offline: your airline, your insurer, your safari operator and the consular line. In a shutdown, your home SIM may still be able to make voice calls and send texts while roaming.

If you travel during a politically sensitive period, keep some cash, download offline maps of the areas you are visiting, and agree a fallback plan with your tour operator in case messaging apps stop working.

What not to film or post while you are in Tanzania

The UK Foreign Office warns that you could be detained over social media posts, blogs, or photos and videos you share about protests or the political situation. It advises avoiding political discussion both online and in public. It also says security services may check phones for election-related content. It is illegal to take or share photographs or video of protests and violence, so put your phone away if you come across a demonstration.

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar, and public displays of affection, even holding hands, can lead to arrest. Bear that in mind with what you post as well as what you do in public, and think about what dating or social apps on your phone could reveal if it is checked.

On safari and on the beach, share what you like of the wildlife and scenery. Be more careful with people. Ask before photographing anyone, especially in Maasai villages and in Stone Town.

The emergency number throughout Tanzania is 112, covering ambulance, fire and police. Your eSIM is data-only, so make that call from your home SIM.

Researched October 2026 · 4 sources

gov.uk Tanzania travel advice: entry requirements (GOV.UK)
gov.uk Tanzania travel advice: safety and security (GOV.UK)
gov.uk Tanzania travel advice: getting help (GOV.UK)
en.wikipedia.org 2025 Tanzanian general election (Wikipedia)

7-day itinerary

Seven days in Tanzania: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar

A short northern safari from Arusha through three national parks and conservation areas, including the Ngorongoro Crater, followed by a flight to Zanzibar for Stone Town and the east-coast beaches. Safari days work best with a licensed operator and driver-guide.

Length: 7 days
Bases: 5

When to go June to October is the long dry season, with the easiest game viewing as animals gather near water, and Zanzibar is pleasant then too; the long rains from about March to May make some roads muddy and many Zanzibar lodges close or cut services.

Day 1 Arusha

Arrival in Arusha

Kilimanjaro airport (JRO) is about 50 km from Arusha, roughly 1 hour by road; buy the government's inbound insurance at arrival if you have not already.

Land at Kilimanjaro International and drive to Arusha, the safari capital at the foot of Mount Meru. If you arrive early, visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre for Tanzanian art and crafts, or walk around the central market and the clock tower. Meet your safari operator in the evening to check the plan, park permits and timings, and buy anything you have forgotten, such as a hat or binoculars.

Signal Airtel 4G works in Arusha town; 5G is mainly found in Dar es Salaam and a few other cities, so expect 4G here.
Day 2 Tarangire area

Tarangire National Park

About 2 hours by road from Arusha to the Tarangire main gate.

Drive south-west to Tarangire National Park, known for its large herds of elephants and old baobab trees. Spend the day on game drives along the Tarangire River, which draws wildlife in the dry season, looking for lions, giraffes, zebras and many bird species. Stop at a picnic site for lunch, and return to your lodge or camp near the park before the gates close.

Signal Signal is patchy inside Tarangire, with 4G near the gate and some lodges and long stretches with none along the river; your guide's radio is the main line of contact.
Day 3 Karatu

Lake Manyara and the Karatu highlands

About 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Tarangire to Lake Manyara; Lake Manyara to Karatu is about 45 minutes.

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, below the Rift Valley escarpment, where groundwater forest, an alkaline lake and grasslands sit close together. Look for baboon troops, elephants and, in some seasons, flamingos on the lakeshore; the park is also known for lions that climb trees, though sightings are rare. In the afternoon, climb up the escarpment to Karatu and visit a coffee farm in the hills before dinner.

Signal Mto wa Mbu village and Karatu have 4G; inside Lake Manyara the signal comes and goes, especially in the forest.
Day 4 Karatu

The Ngorongoro Crater

Karatu to the crater's Lodoare gate is about 30 minutes; the descent road to the floor takes about 30–45 minutes more.

Leave early to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano about 20 km across that is part of the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the crater floor, you can see wildebeest, buffalo, lions, hyenas and, with luck, one of the few black rhinos left in the area. Have lunch at the picnic site by the hippo pool and climb back up to the rim before the afternoon exit time.

Signal The crater rim has usable 4G in places, but the crater floor has patchy coverage, so do not rely on it for live updates.
Day 5 Stone Town, Zanzibar

Fly to Zanzibar: Stone Town

Karatu to Arusha airport takes about 2 hours 30 minutes by road; flights from Arusha to Zanzibar take about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Return to Arusha and take a short flight to Zanzibar. In the late afternoon, walk the narrow lanes of Stone Town, a UNESCO-listed trading port, past carved wooden doors and old merchants' houses. Visit the Old Fort and see the House of Wonders from the outside, as it has been under restoration. At sunset, go to the Forodhani Gardens on the waterfront, where food stalls open in the evening.

Signal Stone Town has reliable Airtel 4G; avoid filming any protests or political gatherings and ask before photographing people.
Day 6 Stone Town, Zanzibar

Slave market memorial, spice farm and Prison Island

Spice farms are about 30 minutes from Stone Town by road; boats to Prison Island take about 20–30 minutes.

Visit the Anglican Cathedral built on the site of the old slave market and its museum and memorial, which explain East Africa's slave trade. In the afternoon, join a spice tour on a farm outside town to see cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon growing, or take a boat to Changuu (Prison Island) to see the giant Aldabra tortoises. Return to Stone Town for the evening.

Signal 4G is good in Stone Town and on most of the island's main roads; it weakens on the boat and on Prison Island.
Day 7 East coast (Paje or Jambiani)

Jozani Forest and the east coast

Jozani is about 45 minutes from Stone Town; Paje is about 20 minutes further.

Drive east to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, where a guided forest walk usually brings you close to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, and walk the boardwalk through the mangroves. Continue to the east coast at Paje or Jambiani, where the tide goes out a long way across the lagoon, and see the seaweed farms. Spend the rest of the day on the beach.

Signal Jozani has limited signal in the forest; Paje and Jambiani have 4G, which can slow in the evenings when the beach towns are busy.

Staying connected on this route

Save your eVisa, inbound insurance certificate and park permits on your phone and as printouts before you fly.
Download offline maps and entertainment in Arusha; the parks have long dead zones and your guide's radio is the main contact.
Write down your airline, safari operator and insurer numbers in case the internet is restricted during political tension.
Do not photograph or post about protests, and avoid political discussion online while you are in Tanzania.

Itinerary sources · 4

gov.uk GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Tanzania
gov.uk GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Tanzania entry requirements
whc.unesco.org UNESCO World Heritage: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
whc.unesco.org UNESCO World Heritage: Stone Town of Zanzibar

Where this comes from

Information and verification

Each block below says what was checked and when. Anything we cannot date, we do not claim.

Prices and plans: Every price and allowance on this page is read from the live catalog, not typed in.; Verified October 30, 2026
Host networks: The operator list comes from the network partner that carries this eSIM.; Verified October 30, 2026