Options for keeping in touch with home?

[Brandon.Gleason]

Gents,
I'm evaluating my options for keeping in touch with home while I'm in South Africa this fall. I'm not looking to spend all day tied to my cell phone, but I would like to be able to make daily calls home in the evening to check in on the wife and baby (more importantly the baby, but don't tell my wife I said that....).
I'll be hunting outside of Hoedspruit with JWK Safaris, and it looks like AT&T has international coverage in the area, with rates of $40-120 for the month depending on how much data I want with the package (200, 400, 800MB). Voice calls are still $0.25-0.15/min depending on the level of package, but I'm assuming I'll just text home and maybe use FaceTime to see the baby.
Anyone have any thoughts for or against this? I'm planning to swing by AT&T to see if they have any knowledge of this, but I'm not overly hopeful they'll have much knowledge of international plans and what I need for data.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Royal27]

Three safaris and I haven't gotten a cell phone over there yet. I always think about it, and never get around to it.

If you just want it for the evening call home then the first question I'd ask your outfitter is if there will be wifi available at the lodge? If the answer is yes then problem solved.

Whatsapp, FB, Skype, amd others all offer wifi calling.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Option. VODACOM get a chip and OR Tambo. Pick a package.
Look up the place online
It may or may not be easier to get your provider to extend coverage

 

[Mark19707]

Go with Royal27 suggestion. Stick with VOIP. Never had an issue

 

[Pheroze]

Could using data option be tricky because sometimes they have limits? Nothing says "over staying your welcome" like burning up the data time! I would just touch base with your PH about the options.

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

Could using data option be tricky because sometimes they have limits? Nothing says "over staying your welcome" like burning up the data time! I would just touch base with your PH about the options.

That's the exact reason I'm looking to get my own plan. They said they do have a 3g wifi dongle in camp, I just don't want to run into any awkwardness if I blow through their data.

I used to be all about disappearing off the grid for a week or two at a time. Then we went and had a kid.....

 

[K-man]

If you plan multiple trips you could get a Delorme Inreach. some plans are unlimited and others have a set # of texts. the bonus is it works anywhere you have a view of the southern sky. Not a true phone, but handy and has gps,

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

If they have a wifi connection at the lodge/camp just use WhatsApp or Viber to call, it does not cost anything.

 

[cpr0312]

Agree with royal amd Jerome!

 

[LivingTheDream]

WhatsApp was my suggestion. It should work great if they have wifi.

 

[TByrd]

I've pondered the same thing. In the past, I've picked up some cheap phones and paid by month when my service wasn't supported. I've also rented satellite phones (you can do this daily or monthly). My best bet has been to keep separate services on my phone vs iPad. Verizon on one and ATT on the other....both with international plans....this usually has me covered. I haven't used WhatsApp....but after looking at it.....looks like the way to go if you will have Wifi.

 

[Paul Edwards]

If you plan multiple trips you could get a Delorme Inreach. some plans are unlimited and others have a set # of texts. the bonus is it works anywhere you have a view of the southern sky. Not a true phone, but handy and has gps,

Agreed. While I have note been on Safari yet, I use an Inreach when in the 'bad lands' where there is no infrastructure. Emails and texts, which can include a link to your precise location, and a fast SOS emergency link that can be configured to notify anyone, including whatever emergency evac plan/policy you have. Battery lasts a long time, and can be extended with settings, and easily recharges with a power pack, solar charger, etc.

...but it is not a voice call...as already mentioned by K-man.

 

[Royal27]

If they have a wifi connection at the lodge/camp just use WhatsApp or Viber to call, it does not cost anything.

And the quality is good. There are times I can talk to @ActionBob via whatsapp when cellular keeps dropping. Go figure!

 

[cagkt3]

And the quality is good. There are times I can talk to @ActionBob via whatsapp when cellular keeps dropping. Go figure!

Who would ever want to talk to @ActionBob that much???? Just kidding Bob! Next time I'm up visiting family I'll give you a shout - first round's on me!

 

[Hank2211]

I have never been in a camp in South Africa that didn't have wireless internet. They need it for their business, if for no other reason. Bandwidth may not be great, but it should be enough for FaceTime Audio, if you have an iPhone, and it will certainly let you text and download reasonable size emails.

Ask the outfitter. I'd be shocked if this was an issue.

 

[dory]

If you plan multiple trips you could get a Delorme Inreach. some plans are unlimited and others have a set # of texts. the bonus is it works anywhere you have a view of the southern sky. Not a true phone, but handy and has gps,

Ive got rid of my Dolmre Inreach as it proved unreliable.
My wife even recieved a tx from me 6 months after i sent it .
we have no phone coverage where i work so need something reliable and not to expensive .
I have used Iridium go for about 12 months now and so far so good .
It basically turns your cell phone into a sat phone .
And yes u can talk on it as well as tx .

 

[BC.Pat]

Dolmre Inreach here as well, no complaints after getting it paired to my phone. I manly use it in the Yukon and about ; no overseas experience with it thou.

 

[jpr792]

Ffemt5287
Enjoy the planning process.
Various options exist to stay in touch with your loved ones.
One option is to download the app WhatsApp. You stay in contact with your loved ones through wi-fi connection using WhatsApp as a messaging system but can also make free phone calls over wi-fi through WhatsApp.
Our clients use our cellphone dial from an App that allows them to make a phone call to the USA from Namibia, indicating an USA telephone number to the dialler. This service is available to all our clients at no cost to the client.

 

[mdwest]

I just used camp wifi on my recent trip.. while the connection speed is a good bit slower than what you'll experience in most places in the US, it was enough to send a couple of pics home each day via email.. and was enough to support face time calls and skype with family and friends each evening when we were back in camp..

If you need to dial a telephone number (the other person you want to speak with doesnt use skype or facetime), you can dial US telephone numbers with skype for I think .02 a minute.. or can purchase a monthly unlimited calling plan for $2.95 a month... MUCH less expensive than using an international calling plan with ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc..

The downside is you are limited to using wifi and wont have actual cell service...

For me that was no problem at all though.. I kinda like being semi-unplugged and not having my phone ringing all day like it does when I am stateside (I tend to spend 4-6 hours a day, every day, on the phone due to work...).

 

[wapiti]

I have never been in a camp in South Africa that didn't have wireless internet. They need it for their business, if for no other reason. Bandwidth may not be great, but it should be enough for FaceTime Audio, if you have an iPhone, and it will certainly let you text and download reasonable size emails.

Ask the outfitter. I'd be shocked if this was an issue.

Our last safari camp didn't have wifi. It was in the northwest province. There was no tv and spotty cell service.