OK, I'm one of those weird guys who likes things planned and orderly. I land in Johannesburg August 12th and will be met by Africa Sky for transport, but let's assume I need to call them for whatever reason, with my US cell phone, standing in the Johannesburg airport.

The phone # to Africa Sky is 082 749 0674
How would I dial that phone number?


Now let's assume I have flight issues the next day from J'burg to Windhoek and need to call my outfitter:

Kowas Safaris phone number is +264 62 581558
How would I dial that number?

Go to your local phone company and signup for "WhatsApp" Works for me.

I use WhatsApp every day between USA and RSA, it's perfect, instant and free.

>>>The phone # to Africa Sky is 082 749 0674
>>>How would I dial that phone number?

+27 82 749 0674

>>>Kowas Safaris phone number is +264 62 581558
>>>How would I dial that number?

+264 62 581558

Hold down the 0 key until the + shows up, then the numbers.

Thanks for the info men. I am headed over in Oct

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help.

That is a good question. I once arrived in Harare with nobody to pick me up even though I was hunting with an extremely good and reputable company. After attempting several calls and unable to get through the appy finally showed up. I was the last client he picked up at the airport, not sure what he is doing now.

Like a Boy Scout, Be Prepared.

You probably know, but to get +, hold down the 0 button on your phone.

Also most international plans are expensive. Texting is normally cheaper. Usually .50 with ATT.

Last couple times I went to S, in 13 and 14, my Verizon plan was not that bad. It seems like it was 50 cents a minute. I called home every other day for a few minutes and texted on other days. I was amazed at clarity, the calls were as clear as in the USA.

I did that too with AT&T. They had an international calling plan for like $50 for 40 minutes or something like that. I called home every evening and clarity was as you say, even from Namibia.

I'm not concerned about calling home, I know how to do that. I was wanting to know how to call US/SA, US/Namibia, SA/Namibia just in case. I'm guessing my phone, even if I'm standing in the J'burg airport, is still considered a US phone?

T-Mobile, no charge text and data (no 4G or LTE data) from South Africa and Zambia and .20 per minute. And Zero per minute if you are on Wi-Fi and have an Wi-Fi calling capable phone.

Botswana .50 text and $6 per minute calls
Namibia .50 text and $3 a minute calls
Zimbabwe .50 text and $6 per minute

That's without a calling plan

On a similar subject...

I have read quite a few online reports that say its simple and low cost to rent a cell phone and buy minutes from kiosks right in the airport.

Has anyone tried this, or care to offer an opinion on it?

Well its cheaper if you get a local SIM card, but its easier to use your own, your contacts have your USA number.

You can use WhatsApp to call or text without a calling plan. It uses wifi or your data plan.

I didn't realize you could make a phone call with WhatsApp. Thanks for the tip.

If I'm using WhatsApp does the person on the other end also need the WhatsApp or can I call a landline with WharsApp?

This is the first I've heard of WhatsApp and it looks like it may be the way forward.

Does it just do text or also voice?

It requires an internet connection, so how do you get one in an airport or on the road?

They do not need be using the app.

It will do voice as well as text. It does require a data plan or a wifi connection. If you have a phone plan that would probably be cheaper. For international travel I don't normally have a voice plan but do have a data plan. I use it for texting (which would normally go over a voice plan). Actually I will respond to texts but I don't want the office calling me to ask stupid questions just because someone doesn't want to take my assistant's word for it.

What is a data plan in this context? I thought WhatsApp used only the internet.

A data plan is what allows you to access the internet when you are not connected to it via wifi. Call it 4G LTE and you would recognize it immediately.

So you purchase a data plan from your provider? What if your provider has no presence in RSA? Your phone can only communicate with your provider, right?

You may be able to purchase a short term plan from your provider. Part of what is available depends upon your phone. Unless you have a phone that does not support the GSM bands, your carrier probably has a company in RSA that they partner with. I think Sprint and Verizon still use CDMA.

If you are somewhere that has wifi (many airports do) then you don't need a data plan since you connect to the internet via wifi. On some slower or limited wifi networks I can text with WhatsApp, but I can't make phone calls.

Thanks.

I just contacted my provider and I can get voice and data for a month for $140. How does WhatsApp compare in price? (I will only need the service for 10 days and probably won't make more than one or two phone calls.)

WhatsApp is a communication application. It isn't a voice or data plan.

+2782 749 0674

That is a South-African mobile number. The 0 gets replaced by +27 or 0027.

But practically, what does that mean? Is it free? Do you get charged on a per use basis?

I get that is isn't a "plan", but it still allows the movement of voice and data, right?

"WhatsApp" is an "App" that you purchase in the iTunes or Google Play store for $25. It allows you to send SMS (Text Messages) and make calls using your phone's Wi-Fi or Internet service plan.

So for $25 you are set? That sounds like the way to go.

Well, your phone must have Wi-Fi and/or a data plan. Also, you need to be in an area that you can get a 4G and/or LTE connection if you are using data, and that's not in the Bush. Plus, you will be burning thru your data allotment with your plan. Of course, if you are on Wi-Fi only, then yes it's $25 and your set.

Something to keep in mind, for example T-Mobile for $50 an month, will give you unlimited calls (USA, Canada and Mexico) and unlimited texts per month, 2G of 4G/LTE data, unlimited 2G/3G data, and music and video streaming don't count against your data. And your calls from South Africa would be .20 per minute and free texts. If your phone supports Wi-Fi calling than calls using Wi-Fi those are "free" too. However, you must have your own GSM phone.

When I'm at home, my phone attaches to my wifi network. Is that what you are talking about when you say the phone must have wifi?

Do most game ranches have wifi networks that they will allow you to access?

As for the points in your second paragraph, switching carriers isn't easy and not something I'd consider for 10 days in Africa. My carrier doesn't have GSM.

Yes,

I don't know, you will have to ask your outfitter if they have Wi-Fi available in camp.

Google search: WHATSAP, you'll be directed to a website. After reading the description, you can make the determination if this will work for you.

I installed the Whatsapp on my iPhone. I can't figure out how to call someone who does not have Whatsapp. Can anybody help?

I think they have to have whatsapp too. I installed it on my wife's phone as well as my own. One interesting feature is that it went through my contacts and somehow determined which of them had whatsapp installed.

I have come to believe you're correct. I also noticed that any of my contacts that have Whatsapp are added to my favorites list.