How to Use a Cell Phone in South Africa

The southern tip of Africa is the most economically-advanced region of Africa. If you will be joining the 7,000,000 travelers who visit South Africa each year, be prepared for a glorious vacation. While you're observing the amazing wildlife and quad riding through the safari, you want to make sure that you are able to use your cell phone in the case of an emergency. Using a cell phone in South Africa is easy if you follow the correct procedures.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plug adapter
• List of important phone numbers
• Transformer

1. Buy the correct plug adapters from an electronics store before you leave home so that you can charge your cell phone while in South Africa. South Africa uses plug types "C," "G" and "M."

2. Pack a transformer that can handle 220 to 230 volts, which is the voltage range used in South Africa, to use when charging your cell phone. Your cell phone will likely fry if you do not use the correct transformer.

3. Notify your cell phone provider to inform them that you will be traveling to South Africa. Ask if they offer phone coverage in South Africa, and request to be upgraded to international roaming.

4. Consider renting a cell phone or SIM card to use with your personal cell phone if your cellular company does not offer coverage in South Africa.

5. Make sure that you know how to dial locally within South Africa. If you are dialing a place in South Africa with the same city code as which you are calling, just dial the number. If the number has a different area code, dial "0," plus the area code, plus the phone number.

6. Be prepared to call the United States from South Africa. First dial "00" (this is the international prefix to dial outside of South Africa). Then dial "1" (this is the international code used to dial to the U.S.). Follow that by the area code and phone number.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to charge your cell phone each night using the correct plug adapter and transformer.