Will I get a signal in the Okavango Delta or the Kalahari?

In remote wilderness areas such as the deep Okavango Delta or far-flung parts of the Kalahari, reception is limited or absent. In most camp villages, on main roads and near tourist centres such as Maun, though, you get stable 4G on Mascom.

Does the eSIM work right after landing in Gaborone or Maun?

Yes. Install the eSIM in Germany before you leave and switch it on when you turn off flight mode after landing. Your phone connects to the Mascom network by itself as soon as a signal is available.

How much data do I need for a safari in Botswana?

For a two-week safari with navigation, WhatsApp and the occasional photo share, 3–5 GB is usually enough. The network is not available everywhere, so you will use your data sparingly anyway, and a 5 GB plan is a good starting point.

Do I need a plug adapter for Botswana?

Yes. Botswana mostly uses socket types D, G and M, and none of them is compatible with German plugs. Be sure to pack a universal adapter so you can charge your phone and other devices.

Can I use the eSIM on trips to neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe or Zambia?

The Botswana eSIM works on the Botswana network only. If you travel to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean or Zambian side, you need a separate plan for those countries. Look at Reisechip's regional Africa plans, which cover several countries.

How much does an eSIM for Botswana cost?

eSIM data plans for Botswana start at €6.89. You pay once for the data you choose — no contract, no monthly fee and no surprise roaming bill. Bigger data packs and longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in Botswana?

It depends on the destination. Inside the EU your German plan usually includes roaming, often with a fair-use data cap; outside the EU, roaming is typically charged per day or per megabyte, and a travel eSIM is usually much cheaper. With an eSIM you see the full price before you buy and pay only for your data pack.

Which mobile networks does the eSIM use in Botswana?

In Botswana the eSIM connects automatically to local networks such as Mascom, Orange Botswana, beMobile (BTC), on 4G/LTE and on 5G where it is available. Coverage in populated areas is around 70% of the population. Your phone always picks the strongest network nearby.

Will I keep my German phone number with an eSIM in Botswana?

Yes. Your German SIM and number stay active, and the travel eSIM runs alongside it as a data-only plan. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or over Wi-Fi while browsing on the local network. Normal calls and texts still go through your German number, where roaming charges may apply.

Can I top up or extend my Botswana data plan?

Yes. When your data runs out or the plan expires, just buy another pack. The eSIM profile already on your phone stays in place, so there is nothing to reinstall and you stay online without a break.

Can I use the eSIM as a Wi-Fi hotspot in Botswana?

Yes. You can share the connection with a laptop, tablet or a travel companion through your phone's personal hotspot. Hotspot use comes out of the same data allowance, so choose a slightly larger pack if you plan to tether.

Should I install the eSIM before I leave or after I arrive?

Install it at home over Wi-Fi before you travel. The data plan switches on automatically when your phone joins a network in Botswana, so you are online the moment you land instead of hunting for airport Wi-Fi.

eSIM plans for Botswana

Instant delivery

Botswana: your travel eSIM from €6.89 works as soon as you land and connects to Mascom, Orange Botswana, beMobile (BTC) (4G/LTE where available), network coverage 70% of the population. Install it by QR code before you leave Germany — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day refund on unused eSIMs
Support in English
Visa · Mastercard · Maestro · Apple Pay · PayPal

eSIM for Botswana at a glance

Price from: €6.89
Local networks: Mascom, Orange Botswana, beMobile (BTC)
Technology: 4G/LTE
Network coverage: 70% of the population
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Suggested data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Botswana

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€6.89
Unlimited	3 days	€19.99
Unlimited	5 days	€29.99
Unlimited	7 days	€39.99
Unlimited	10 days	€53.99
Unlimited	15 days	€70.49
Unlimited	30 days	€108.99
1 GB	7 days	€6.99
2 GB	15 days	€13.99
3 GB	30 days	€16.99
5 GB	30 days	€27.99
10 GB	30 days	€48.99
20 GB	30 days	€70.99
50 GB	30 days	€174.99

Botswana is one of Africa's most impressive destinations: endless salt pans in the Makgadikgadi, the pulsing waterways of the Okavango Delta and elephant-rich savannas in Chobe National Park. Many lodges and camps sit in the wilderness far from the nearest town, so mobile data is essential for navigation, emergencies and trip planning. With a Reisechip eSIM you book your data plan before you fly, scan the QR code and are online as soon as you land in Gaborone or Maun, with no SIM swap and no queues.

Flight time from Germany

about 10–12 hours

Time zone

UTC+2 (1 hour ahead of CET)

Best time to travel

May–October (dry season)

Plug type

Type D/G/M (adapter needed)

Why get an eSIM for Botswana?

Botswana has network coverage of about 70%, which sounds low but is enough for most tourist routes and urban centres such as Gaborone, Francistown and Maun. Mascom's network is the most reliable and widespread in the country. Local SIM cards are available, but they require a copy of your passport and sometimes a long wait at the counter, time you would rather spend in the national park. With a Reisechip eSIM you skip all of that. You install it at home, it is already active on the drive into the Delta, and you can load GPS tracks, coordinate transfers and upload photos. Your German number stays active alongside it, which is ideal for questions to your travel agency or calls home.

What is network coverage like in Botswana?

Network operator

Mascom

+ Orange Botswana

Technology

4G/LTE

Coverage

70% of the population

How do I install an eSIM for Botswana?

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for Botswana that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in Botswana and you are online straight away.

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for Botswana that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in Botswana and you are online straight away.

Which eSIM plan suits me?

Holiday

Away for 1–2 weeks? A 3–5 GB plan covers maps, photos and messages.

Business trip

For video calls and email on the go, choose at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpacking

On longer trips, a 10 GB+ plan or a regional plan for several countries pays off.

Family

With several devices, pick a plan with hotspot support and enough data for everyone.

eSIM vs. local SIM vs. Wi-Fi hotspot — what works best for Botswana?

	eSIM	Local SIM card	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy on arrival	Pick-up or delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €6.89	€5–30	€5–15 per day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed allowance	Daily rental
Best for	Most travellers	Long stays	Groups and families

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eSIM for Botswana: frequently asked questions

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