Digital Travel Helpers

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We try and get back to South Africa and our friends and family every two years. Leaving the cold and gloom of the U.K. for a lovely a warm environment does us the power of good. 

This year we chose to do a bit more adventuring and I will share a few digital helpers we have made use of along the way.

Staying connected

I am an O2 customer and benefit from having free roaming throughout Europe. When I looked at what O2 offered for South Africa it looked like roaming would cost me £7 a day to make use of my 6 GB data allowance. The alternative would be a 30 day vault contract which looked very expensive. I vaguely knew about downloading an eSIM but had never done it, so I did an AI search to find out which was the best option for South Africa. Airalo looked like a good option, so I went online and bought a South African 30 day 10 GB eSIM for £22. I then downloaded it and activated it on arrival following the clear instructions that were provided. On my iPhone settings I kept my phone linked to my O2 sim, turning off roaming. I then linked my data to my RSA eSIM and turned on roaming. It works like a dream, but the most important thing to communicate to family and friends was to only use (data) WhatsApp and not Apple Messages. A few sms messages did come through and cost me 50p a time.

This worked perfectly and the 10GB allowance was more than adequate, especially after I turned the mobile back up of Google Photos off.



Navigating without Roaming

A tip that I received from a Titan Tour Manager was to download maps.me, a free app (although they do pester you to go premium) that is very useful. We used it in St Jose Costa Rica to do a walking tour of all the main attractions and it worked perfectly. On our holiday we used it when the cell signal was non existent, plus when we were in an area of Botswana (included in my O2 roaming) very close to the Namibian border and we risked accidentally linking to their cell towers and large bills (which happened to me last year when I thought I was linked to Corfu but actually it was Albania ... very expensive mistake!!!).

Here is what CoPilot thinks of the app:-

Maps.me is a popular offline mapping app that’s especially useful for travellers and adventurers. It allows you to download maps for offline use, making it ideal for areas with limited or no internet connectivity. The app is built on OpenStreetMap data, which is community-driven and open-source, ensuring frequent updates and detailed information.

Key Features of the Free Version:
  • Offline Maps: Download maps for specific regions and access them without an internet connection.
  • Navigation: Offers turn-by-turn navigation for driving, walking, and cycling.
  • Points of Interest: Includes landmarks, restaurants, and other useful locations.
  • Hiking Trails: Displays hiking routes and off-road paths, often with names.

Tips for Using the Free Version:
  • Download Maps in Advance: Before your trip, download the maps for the regions you’ll visit to ensure you have access offline.
  • Save Favourites: Mark important locations like your hotel or attractions to easily find them later.
  • Use for Hiking: Take advantage of the app’s detailed hiking trails for outdoor adventures.
  • Battery Management: Offline maps can drain your battery, so carry a power bank if you’re out for long periods.
While the free version is robust, some users have reported occasional glitches or outdated information in less-travelled areas. Overall, it’s a reliable tool for offline navigation and exploration

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