One of the best things about taking a vacation to Africa is leaving the hustle and bustle of your work and your daily life behind. For most people (whether you choose to go on safari or spend a relaxing week at the beach), traveling to Africa is about disconnecting and refocusing on a simpler way of life. However, if you are leaving family or friends behind, it is good to be able to inform your loved ones that you have arrived safely or to catch up occasionally on the news from home. In this article, we look at some of the easiest ways to stay in touch.
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Cell phones in Africa
The advent of affordable cell phones has revolutionized communications on the continent. Almost everyone has a cell phone, and many African companies are paving the way for ingenious new uses of cell phone technology. Cellular signal is available in most big cities and large towns, and even in the bush, your Maasai guide will likely be able to use his phone to call home to find out if dinner is almost ready. However, none of this means that your sleek iPhone will be of use to you on safari.
Network coverage is still unreliable in rural areas, and even if it exists, it will be incompatible with your international cell phone.
Get your phone working
The best way to ensure that she can reach you while on vacation in Africa is to contact your cell phone provider in advance. Most of the larger carriers (including AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon) have special international plans. If you travel frequently and your local company can’t offer you a good rate, check with a global SIM card provider and a phone rental company like Telestial or Cellular Abroad. Regardless of which route you choose, be sure to specify the countries you are traveling to and know the company’s rates in advance.
Ask if you will be charged extra for incoming calls from abroad; and how much you will be charged for texting instead of calling (texting is generally cheaper).
Tip: Make sure you pack a phone charger and the proper power adapter. Solar chargers are great for trips to remote areas with limited electricity.
Using the Internet to contact home
Most city hotels offer WiFi (although it is never guaranteed to work). Even the most remote lodgings often offer internet access. The connectivity is usually sufficient to send emails, check social media, and even use FaceTime or Skype; although you may want to save your load of countless high-resolution photos for when you get home. Ironically, the more expensive your hotel is, the more likely you are to pay online. Internet cafes and backpacker hostels equipped with WiFi are often the cheapest option.
Because cellular networks are more available in many areas than electricity, a 3G connection on your smartphone is often the most reliable option of all.
Tip: If you don’t already have one, be sure to set up a web-based email account before you leave so that you can easily receive and send messages from any Internet connection in Africa.
The joy of skype
Assuming you can find an Internet or 3G connection, Skype is the international traveler’s best friend. You can use it to call other Skype accounts around the world completely free of charge (and you can use the video feature to show off your tan or enviable safari environment). If your friends or family don’t have a Skype account, or you need to get in touch urgently, you can even use Skype Credit to call your cell phone or landline. Skype Credit is incredibly long, with long distance calls costing just pennies a minute.
Make sure to sign up for an account and download the Skype app on your smartphone or laptop in advance.
Can’t do anything to work?
If you can’t connect to the internet with your own device and you really need to send an email, go to an internet cafe or ask if you can log on to the computer at your hotel reception. No matter how remote your safari camp may be, all teams have a cell phone or satellite phone for emergencies. Ask to use it to call home if you need to (but keep your conversation short if you’re using a satellite phone, they’re notoriously expensive).
This article was updated by Jessica Macdonald on December 4, 2017.
