Best Tourist Sim Cards in Zimbabwe in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Zimbabwe across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a visit to Zimbabwe, having a sim card is essential for convenient navigation and staying connected. Access to the internet while traveling enables you to easily find the best dining options, get directions to your accommodation, book taxis, and share photos with your loved ones on the go.
While roaming is a possibility, it can quickly accumulate costly fees when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend either opting for an eSIM or purchasing a local sim card to benefit from local phone rates.
Thankfully, obtaining either an eSIM or a local sim card in Zimbabwe is incredibly straightforward. To assist you in making an informed decision, this comprehensive guide provides all the updated information on sim card pricing in Zimbabwe and suggests the optimal sim card option for your needs.
The best sim card in Zimbabwe is the Econet Wireless prepaid sim card.
Econet Zimbabwe is the largest mobile network operator in Zimbabwe and has the best coverage and fastest internet speeds across the country. NetOne also has fairly extensive coverage but Econet is the better pick.
A Tourist Sim Card in Zimbabwe costs 9,682 ZWL in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Zimbabwe will cost $9.50 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Zimbabwe which includes 1GB of data which is valid for 7 days and costs $9.50 USD.
There are two main mobile networks in Zimbabwe that dominate the market: Econet Wireless and NetOne Cellular.
Mobile network coverage and download speeds aren’t amazing in Zimbabwe, however, they’re really not that bad. Econet Wireless has the most extensive mobile network and the fastest internet speeds in the country, significantly outperforming NetOne Cellular.
The prices for prepaid plans from either are pretty affordable and come with sufficient data for travel needs. I would recommend opting for Econet to ensure the best possible access to internet when visiting more remote parts of Zimbabwe.
Econet Wireless is the largest mobile network provider in Zimbabwe and offers the best mobile network coverage, experience and speeds.
Their plans are also very cheap and include plenty of data. For these two reasons I recommend Econet Wireless for any visitors travelling to Zimbabwe.
The easiest option is to visit the Econet booth in arrivals at the airport in Zimbabwe where they will be able to help you get set up with a package.
The price of a Econet Wireless tourist sim card in Zimbabwe is 9,682 ZWL.
The plan offered by Econet Wireless stores includes 1.4GB data valid for 30 days.
NetOne doesn’t have as strong a network as Econet which means you can expect slower mobile internet speeds and a lack of coverage in more remote areas of Zimbabwe.
For this reason I don’t recommend NetOne sim cards for tourists. There may be some instances where NetOne has access and Econet doesn’t. If you plan to travel to remote areas and really want to maximize your coverage then consider purchasing both sim cards as they’re still relatively cheap compared to Western countries.
The price of a NetOne Cellular tourist sim card in Zimbabwe is $5 USD.
The plan offered by NetOne Cellular stores offers 5GB data valid for 7 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Zimbabwe: Econet Wireless, NetOne Cellular and are your best options in Zimbabwe.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Zimbabwe. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Zimbabwe to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Econet Wireless, NetOne Cellular or staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Econet Wireless that includes 1.4GB data for 9,682 ZWL.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 9,682 ZWL to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Zimbabwe at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Zimbabwe then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Zimbabwe have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Econet Wireless, NetOne Cellular and . Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Zimbabwe are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Zimbabwe with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Zimbabwe. The Airalo Zimbabwe eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $9.50 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Zimbabwe without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Zimbabwe is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Zimbabwe and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Zimbabwe eSim uses the Telecel network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Telecel networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Zimbabwe.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Zimbabwe eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $9.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 1GB data plan for $9.50 USD which is valid for 7 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Zimbabwe eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Zimbabwe eSim uses the network to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Zimbabwe
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Zimbabwe eSim:
Unfortunately, the Holafly esim packages for Zimbabwe are unavailable. We’ll add the prices back in here once they are available again.
An eSIM, also known as embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is integrated into a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch, eliminating the need for a physical card.
Unlike traditional SIM cards, the eSIM can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator, allowing users to switch between different networks or plans without physically inserting or removing a SIM card.
eSIM technology offers convenience and flexibility, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently switch networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the hassle of purchasing and inserting physical SIM cards, making it easier to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or input the activation details manually. Once activated, the device can connect to the desired network and access voice, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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