Traveling to Namibia and looking for the best sim card in world's second least densely populated country? Avoid high roaming charges this is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Namibia.
Let me help you find the best sim card for your trip to Namibia in 2024.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card in Namibia, up to date prices as per November 2024, the best 4G/5G network, a vlog about my experiences and more info about eSIMs for Namibia.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Namibia?
- Where to buy a Namibia sim card
- Mobile internet providers Namibia
- Prices prepaid Namibia sim card in 2024
- Best 4G/5G Network in Namibia in 2024
- Best prepaid sim card for Namibia in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Namibia
- My experience buying a sim card in Namibia
- Vlog about buying a sim card at Windhoek Airport
- Where to stay in Windhoek
On my first trip to Namibia several years ago I flew Qatar Airways business class, but on arrival at Windhoek Airport I came back to the real world...
The free WiFi on Windhoek Airport was not working and my pick up was not there either! I had my drivers WhatsApp number but no internet on my phone.
In the past I always used to buy prepaid sim card on arrival, but nowadays I mostly get an eSIM.
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for traveling in Namibia are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends an MTC prepaid sim card for Namibia simply because they have the most extensive mobile data network in Namibia. A prepaid sim card with data is cheap and you can best buy it at Windhoek Airport on arrival.
Traveltomtom is an advocate for using eSIMs, but for some reason there are no good eSIMs for Namibia available on the internet.
eSIM providers like Airalo, GigSky, Jetpac, Roamless and Sim Local all do NOT sell eSIMs for Namibia.
Arriving in Windhoek and spending your first days of your trip to Namibia here? What about a lunch with giraffes or a sundowner at a sky bar? Check out my list of the 19 Best Things To Do in Windhoek.
I have traveled to Namibia 4 times and discovered some really cool places. Here is my Namibia itinerary for 7 days or have a look at my other Namibia travel blogs for some inspiration.
Why buying a sim card for Namibia?
First of all we want to avoid high roaming charges! Don't use data roaming on your phone, the charges are still outrageous in 2024.
Traveling is simply much easier when your phone is connected to the internet and therefore more fun.
It is very simple, if you want to order an Uber in Windhoek you will need a working internet connection on your phone. Roaming around Namibia without data on your phone can be challenging. Overcoming language barriers, getting directions from Google Maps, finding nearby rooftop bars, nice restaurants, etc.
Traveltomtom also recommends to always stay connected when traveling for your own safety. Think about what to do in an emergency... or simply have access to your banking apps, etc. wherever you go.
Also be aware that public WiFi connections are UNSECURED networks. There is also no guarantee! The signal in your hotel room can be weak or the wifi in the restaurant too slow to even upload a photo. With a prepaid sim or an eSIM you don't rely on others.
Because I am also trying to visit every country in the world I have made it to many countries and airports already and therefore on Traveltomtom you can find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: South Africa, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Congo Brazzaville, Germany, Frankfurt, Europe, USA, New York, Hong Kong and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Where to buy a Namibia sim card
Phone stores Windhoek city center
In Windhoek city center, close to the Wernhill Park Mall, I visited the MTC shop and the Telecom Namibia shop. Trust me I can strongly encourage you NOT to buy your Namibia sim card in the city of Windhoek at one of these phone stores.
It was a Monday afternoon and both shops were packed with people. When I asked in the MTC shop how long the wait was they said about 20 minutes... well we all know that turns into 40 minutes probably!
Trust me, simply buy your Namibia prepaid sim card on arrival at Windhoek Airport.
Windhoek Airport
This is how the MTC store looks at Windhoek Airport, it is on your left hand side when entering the Arrivals Hall.
Buying a prepaid sim card at Windhoek airport is the best place to get a sim card for Namibia. There is an MTC store as well as Telecom Namibia shop.
The opening hours for the sim card stores at Windhoek Airport are as follows:
- MTC: 7.00 am till 7.00 pm
- Telecom Namibia: 6.30 am till 6.00 pm
Opening hours may vary depending on incoming international flights.
At both stores you can buy a tourist sim card for Namibia with an international credit card. There are also a bunch of ATM's and exchange offices in the Arrival Hall at Windhoek Airport.
Staff in both phone stores are very friendly and helpful.
Online
Normally Traveltomtom always recommends buying international sim cards for traveling, but not for Namibia.
Buying a sim card on the internet for Namibia is fairly impossible. The cheapest eSIM is $25 USD for just 1 GB data, not worth it!
Mobile internet providers Namibia
Since Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world I did not expect it to have a competitive mobile internet market. There are only two mobile providers in Namibia:
- MTC
- Telecom Namibia
Both mobile providers have a shop at Windhoek Airport where travelers can buy a Namibian sim card on arrival. MTC was the first mobile provider in Namibia and it is said that they have the best network, but more about that later. Telecom Namibia is supposed to be cheaper, let's see.
How to go around in Namibia? That is a little complicated! I went hitchhiking in Namibia to give it a try. How that went? Hilarious! See the video in the link.
Prices prepaid Namibia sim card in 2024
At Windhoek Airport the tourist sim card prices are displayed at both the MTS and Telecom Namibia shop at the counter.
Info and prices are updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Namibian Dollar and $1 USD = 18 NAD and 10 NAD = $0.55 USD.
MTC Namibia stores
These are the prices that you can expect when buying an MTC sim card in Namibia according to the MTC Namibia website:
- 1.5 GB data = N$235 -$13 USD
- 3 GB data = N$353 - $19.5 USD
- 15 GB data = N$1,069 = $59 USD
If you feel like calling I recommend you to just add a couple dollar credit to your prepaid sim card. Calling rates are much cheaper than data plans in Namibia.
MTC Windhoek Airport
The MTC store at Windhoek Airport has much better tourist sim cards. An MTC prepaid sim card for Namibia costs 10 N$, which is like $0.5 USD for the registration.
As per November 2024 MTC offers the above prepaid sim card plans with data.
The following prepaid packages are the most interesting for tourists visiting Namibia:
- 2 GB data + 60 minutes + 60 sms for 7 days = N$50 - $28.8 USD
- 5 GB data + 100 minutes + 100 sms for 7 days = N$100 - $5.4 USD
- 18 GB data + 300 minutes + 150 sms for 30 days = N$290 - $15.8 USD
- 15 GB data + 1,500 minutes +1,000 sms for 30 days = N$290 - $15.8 USD
Top up with MTC is easy. You can buy credit in convenient stores, gas stations, etc. You scratch a prepaid card, follow the instructions and enter the code. Once you got the credit, you dial 13400 and you choose option 1 and again 1 to confirm for topping up with an extra data plan.
As you can see even the prices for prepaid sim cards for tourists at Windhoek Airport are an extra indication to get your sim card for Namibia straight after you land.
Telecom Namibia stores
Telecom Namibia is cheaper, but also has a much weaker network. More about that later. Above you can find the prepaid data plans and internet bundles for Telecom Namibia sim cards that you can get in any Telecom shop around Namibia.
- 15 N$ = 1 GB data ($1 USD)
- 69 N$ = 5 GB data ($4.6 USD)
For more info check the Telecom Namibia website.
Telecom Windhoek Airport
The Telecom Namibia store at Windhoek Airport is offering a couple other packages that could be great for tourists. A Telecom sim card costs 7 NAD, which is around $0.50 USD and they have unlimited data plans.
- unlimited data for 1 week = N$300 - $16.3 USD
- unlimited data for 1 month = N$1,000 - $54 USD
Above are all the packages at Windhoek Airport for Telecom Namibia.
Fast conclusion is that Namibia Telecom is cheaper than MTC, but there is more than just the price difference.
Best 4G/5G Network in Namibia in 2024
In a country so vast as Namibia and with just 2.5 Million inhabitants don't have high expectations about the mobile internet network. As prices for Namibia prepaid sim cards are pretty much the same the network coverage strength is what will make the difference.
Normally I only look at the 4G/5G coverage maps to compare the mobile internet providers, but not in Namibia! There is definitely NO 5G in Namibia as of 2024. In fact there is not much 4G/LTE as soon as you travel away from Windhoek.
MTC Namibia 3G/4G network coverage map
Telecom Namibia 3G/4G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. They are however a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Brazil in 2024.
Be prepared to deal with slower internet speed when traveling to Namibia. When looking at the 3G/4G network coverage map of Telecom Namibia you think it is a joke. It says it all...
And that is why Traveltomtom recommend an MTC sim card for traveling in Namibia over Telecom.
It leaves no doubt that MTC has the best mobile data network in Namibia in 2024. For more detailed maps of the mobile internet coverage in Namibia have a look in the link OR check the MTC network coverage map on their own website.
I also volunteered in Namibia at Oana Flora & Fauna is located all the way in southeast Namibia. There was no phone reception at all, not even with an MTC sim card.
Best prepaid sim card for Namibia in 2024
When comparing Telecom and MTC prepaid sim cards we see that although Telecom has cheaper prepaid sim cards it is not the preferred sim card for traveling in Namibia.
MTC has a much more extensive network and finding a phone signal is crucial for staying connected. Therefore Traveltomtom rates MTC as the best prepaid sim card in Namibia in 2024.
Best eSIMs for Namibia
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Namibia in 2024 is an eSIM. You order online, no more visiting a shop. You will receive a QR code in your mail, you follow the instructions and within less than 2 minutes you are connected.
But...
Although Traveltomtom definitely promotes to use eSIMs for traveling abroad, Namibia is different.
The major eSIM providers Jetpac, GigSky, Holafly, etc do not offer eSIMs for Namibia at all. The ones that do are extremely overpriced.
Nomad
Nomad has the 'cheapest' eSIMs for Namibia:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $25 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $55 USD
SimOptions
The SimOptions eSIMs for Namibia are even more expensive:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $43.90 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $127.90 USD
Airalo
UPDATE November 2024: OUT OF STOCK!
Airalo used to sell eSIMs for Namibia but stopped for some reason.
My experience buying a sim card in Namibia
On all my trips to Namibia I bought a sim card for Namibia at Windhoek Airport. Of course from MTC. In 2017 I paid N$307 for the package including N$7 for the sim card itself and got 1.5 GB data.
I got the weekly package with 3 GB and 700 minutes for N$65 + N$10 for the sim card, which is a total of a little over $5 USD. Great deal. The prices for data and prepaid sim cards in Namibia have gone down a lot in the last years.
Most of the time the tourist destinations in Namibia I visited had NO 3G signal at all. At places like Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Namib Desert, Skeleton Coast, Fish River Canyon and Etosha National Park I was happy with an E signal.
This is an example of my internet speed test of my 3G connection in Windhoek, the capital in Namibia.
In the end I still used all of my 1.5 GB because during the long drives on the main North-South road where there is mostly a 3G signal. Namibia is one of those countries where you can easily switch off from being online!
All my other trips I also bought MTC sim cards at Windhoek Airport. Luckily the internet situation has slowly developed a little bit, but data speed is still a nightmare. Especially upload speed!
Vlog about buying a sim card at Windhoek Airport
Here is my vlog about buying a sim card for Namibia at Windhoek International Airport.
It shows what it looks like arriving at Windhoek Airport as well.
Where to stay in Windhoek
Looking for a place to stay in Windhoek before you start your adventure around Namibia? Have a look at Chameleon Backpackers.
Not just a hostel, they have a private rooms as well and a swimming pool, a communal area and a tour agency. Chameleon Safaris have loads of multi day tours around Namibia. If you are a solo traveler this is where you want to crash, meet people and make plans with fellow solo travelers.
Related: 19 Things To Do in Windhoek.
I hope the above tips for buying a prepaid Namibia sim card were helpful for your upcoming Namibia holiday. In case you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to leave me a comment below. I am happy to help, also with Namibia travel tips.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Namibia!
