Phone Options in South Africa??

[SNIPER59]

On my upcoming hunt in SA, I will not have access to WIFI for my laptop, ...what are my best and cheapest options for contacting home, and to check my business emails if possible??
I always just used my laptop to email my wife and check my emails, but with no wifi for 3 weeks, I am hoping someone can show me some options.
Thanks in advance!

 

[BRICKBURN]

The Outfitter may have internet at the lodge. Easiest method.

Want your own connection: arrange for a stick through a local provider Vodacom, etc. Available at ORTambo.
You can pre book it.

Way cheaper than being r**ed by a Canadian mobile provider.

Vodacom RentalsBroadband Modem | Data Products | Products

Locations:
Vodacom RentalsAirport Branches | Contact Details

 

[Hogpatrol]

Depends on where you are in the country. I used a rental phone and sim card from a well known web vendor. They also sell data plans. Links are verboten on here. You'll have to google it. Also, there is a rental phone kiosk at Blomfontein airport.

 

[ETS]

Dear Sniper 59,
My suggestion would be to buy a dongle with a sim card (not sure if the spelling is correct) for your lap top. You can buy it when you arrive at the Airport in Johannesburg, simply go to any of the cellphone shops and ask for a dongle, they are not expensive. Remember to also load data bundles for the duration of your stay. Confirm with your outfitter which of our mobile services (MTN, Vodacom, 8ta etc.) work best in their area. It may not guarantee the best connection but you should find a spot where you can at least check your emails and contact loved ones back home.

 

[SafariA]

Dear Sniper 59,
My suggestion would be to buy a dongle with a sim card (not sure if the spelling is correct) for your lap top. You can buy it when you arrive at the Airport in Johannesburg, simply go to any of the cellphone shops and ask for a dongle, they are not expensive. Remember to also load data bundles for the duration of your stay. Confirm with your outfitter which of our mobile services (MTN, Vodacom, 8ta etc.) work best in their area. It may not guarantee the best connection but you should find a spot where you can at least check your emails and contact loved ones back home.

Agreed ! You need to find out though if there are any mobile service at all . This may be why they do not have wifi .... It looks like we might have to wait for pictures of the hippo and croc .

 

[BRICKBURN]

Agreed ! You need to find out though if there are any mobile service at all . This may be why they do not have wifi .... It looks like we might have to wait for pictures of the hippo and croc .

I assumed that the OP would not wifi from his home provider, not an issue with the outfitter or farm.

Coverage is an issue.

 

[spike.t]

or you could just relax and not bother about what is going on in the outside world. just like used to happen only a few years ago before all the tech crap arrived

 

[Hogpatrol]

or you could just relax and not bother about what is going on in the outside world. just like used to happen only a few years ago before all the tech crap arrived

+1 on that!

 

[35bore]

Met a little ole' lady from London, while we were n Zambia (she was driving through several countries in Africa). She said she had just bought the SIMS cards to keep in touch with the family. Would have to agree with SpikeT though, not so long ago, your question was not even a concern. My wife and I paid (it was refunded by the way) so we would have coverage by our internet provider, and it didn't work... Best 10 days of communication free time with the outside world. There are little "coffee" shops that have internet, so you can check emails and such, but you have to pay for it.

 

[SNIPER59]

or you could just relax and not bother about what is going on in the outside world. just like used to happen only a few years ago before all the tech crap arrived

I do understand what you are saying here, as I live in the medieval times according to my kids, and do not even own a cell phone to this day!! I don't even know how to use one. But that being said, my wife and family worry when I go to Africa and don't contact them. This trip is for 3 weeks, and that is too long to have to make them worry and wonder if all is well.
If I have an option for using my mini laptop to check in from time to time, they would be happier.
Both hunting locations, my outfitters have offered me the use of their phones to text, but I have never texted before, and do not like to put others out if I can find my own solutions.
Both places are able to email me from their cell phones, so I am thinking there must be mobile service in the area, so I am presuming one of these dongle things will work, that I can rent from the J'burg airport...hopefully!

 

[35bore]

I do understand what you are saying here, as I live in the medieval times according to my kids, and do not even own a cell phone to this day!! I don't even know how to use one. But that being said, my wife and family worry when I go to Africa and don't contact them. This trip is for 3 weeks, and that is too long to have to make them worry and wonder if all is well.
If I have an option for using my mini laptop to check in from time to time, they would be happier.
Both hunting locations, my outfitters have offered me the use of their phones to text, but I have never texted before, and do not like to put others out if I can find my own solutions.
Both places are able to email me from their cell phones, so I am thinking there must be mobile service in the area, so I am presuming one of these dongle things will work, that I can rent from the J'burg airport...hopefully!

Now that you mentioned the cell phone service,,,,, isn't there a device you can connect your laptop and cell phone together, then use the cell phone internet connection???? BRICK???? Pretty sure I have seen this on some jobsites, not sure if it would work internationally....

 

[BRICKBURN]

or you could just relax and not bother about what is going on in the outside world. just like used to happen only a few years ago before all the tech crap arrived

For short trips that can work.

Sometimes, you just have to get in touch with home. Cause SH*T happens.

 

[spike.t]

For short trips that can work.

Sometimes, you just have to get in touch with home. Cause SH*T happens.

yup wayne but not long ago it was only the radio call in each evening to head station , usually the safari company manager or owner at his home. was in the bush when the berlin wall came down and when the big quake hit california sometime in the 90`s and didnt know anything about it till we got out of the bush.......about 5 years ago we had a couple from here come to the fishing camp on the lower zambezi and they had total panick attack when i picked them up at lusaka airport and told them there was no cell coverage at the camp....well 1 day after arriving there i offered them my saphone and they both said no. at the end of the trip they said it was the best most relaxing holiday they had ever had, and neither one asked to use the satphone at all. if you are worried and want to touch base then buy/rent a satphone its approx 1 usd a minute to phone on them so top up with 160 mins and you are good to phone home every 3/4 days to say hi and alls well. to me thats the easiest option if there is no cell coverage. if there is cell coverage just buy a local sim card and call time at the airport when you arrive.

 

[Royal27]

Now that you mentioned the cell phone service,,,,, isn't there a device you can connect your laptop and cell phone together, then use the cell phone internet connection???? BRICK???? Pretty sure I have seen this on some jobsites, not sure if it would work internationally....

Most smartphones these days can work as a wifi hotspot. Or, you can get a separate unit, a "puck" that does the same thing.

Sniper, that is what you want - either a puck or dongle to get you on the internet via the cell service. I'm sure they can hook you up I'm Joberg and it really is easy to set up. You'll be fine!

 

[BRICKBURN]

yup wayne but not long ago it was only the radio call in each evening to head station , usually the safari company manager or owner at his home. was in the bush when the berlin wall came down and when the big quake hit california sometime in the 90`s and didnt know anything about it till we got out of the bush.......about 5 years ago we had a couple from here come to the fishing camp on the lower zambezi and they had total panick attack when i picked them up at lusaka airport and told them there was no cell coverage at the camp....well 1 day after arriving there i offered them my saphone and they both said no. at the end of the trip they said it was the best most relaxing holiday they had ever had, and neither one asked to use the satphone at all. if you are worried and want to touch base then buy/rent a satphone its approx 1 usd a minute to phone on them so top up with 160 mins and you are good to phone home every 3/4 days to say hi and alls well. to me thats the easiest option if there is no cell coverage. if there is cell coverage just buy a local sim card and call time at the airport when you arrive.

It is nice to get away. Some folks just won't let you get away.
If you are headed into the bush a Sat Phone is the ticket.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Most smartphones these days can work as a wifi hotspot. Or, you can get a separate unit, a "puck" that does the same thing.

Sniper, that is what you want - either a puck or dongle to get you on the internet via the cell service. I'm sure they can hook you up I'm Joberg and it really is easy to set up. You'll be fine!

"Tethering" your phone can be done wirelessly, as noted.
You have to register the phone, get the SIM, buy the data plan etc.

Cheaper version is the "dongle" , "stick", etc.

Basically a wireless device that you plug into your USB.
Buy the data access. Anywhere there is mobile coverage you are set. Of course, everything from nothing to 3G, 4G, LTE, etc depends on the provider.

This is one.
Vodacom RentalsBroadband Modem | Data Products | Products

Email them and prebook it.



South Africa also has great wine. Empty a few bottles and send a message that way to.