Kruger National Park Travel Forum

Hi,
I intend buying a SIM card for my mobile phone when I arrive in Cape Town where we are staying for 5 days. We are then going onto the Kruger, will I have to purchase another SIM card to use in the Kruger or will the one I purchase in Cape Town work? From the Kruger we are going to Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, does anyone know if we will again have to purchase another SIM card for here? I will post the Vic Falls question in the Vic Falls forum as well.
Many thanks for all your help.

Just leave the phone at home and tell everyone you are going on holiday to get away from it all!

You might understand my response of yesterday when I tell you that my belief is for cellphones to be banned from holidays, theatres, restaurants. But the most sacrosanct should surely be the game reserves. Not pleasant sitting very quietly in a car when you hear loud ringing and talking from the car next to you.

Anyway, since I have probably scared off the other posters, and since you might need the phone for dire medical reasons, I'll try to answer . . . .

A SIM purchased in South Africa will work anywhere in South Africa - Kruger is in SA. However, some cell companies have much better coverage than others. Your best bet is probably Vodacom. Large parts of Kruger have no cell coverage at all. Look at the "Facilities" listed for each campsite at http://celtis.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/ but this won't tell if that service is Vodacom or MTN. If it is really critical to you, call the rest camp and ask them whose cell phone service they have.

Vic Falls will not be covered by a South Africa SIM. Again be careful on getting the right service provider - ask your hosts which sim is the best when you get there.

Hi - We have been to S.A. Many times and always purchase a sim card at the airport and put it in my phone - as long as it has not been locked it will work. (My husband's work phone will not allow you to change the sim card). The sim works all over S.A. and is easy to top up anywhere.