How to Call South Africa

Calling South Africa on Your Phone

Find out how much a call to South Africa will cost you. Contact your phone service provider via the number on their website to talk to a representative and figure out the cost. The rates for international phone calls vary based on your provider, your phone plan, and what country you’re calling from. You’ll likely have to pay a set a fee per minute. It can be as low as $0.15 and as high as over $3.Tip: If you make a lot of international calls, sign up for an international phone plan to receive a discount on international call rates.

Type in the exit code for the country you’re calling from. Find your country’s exit code, which is usually between 2 to 3 digits, by searching online or using a site like https://countrycode.org. This code lets you call out of the country you’re currently in. For example, the exit code for calls from the U.S. is “011” while the exit code for the U.K. is “00.” In some countries, you can use “+” instead of the exit code digits. This is the international calling code.

Dial “27” after the exit code. Include this number in any phone number you’re dialing to South Africa since it’s the country code. Type in “27” immediately following the exit code you entered. Be aware that the South African country code does not change no matter where you’re calling from.

Add the 2-digit city code for the specific location you’re calling. After the country code, type the city code, which is different for each major city or area in South Africa. Check your mobile service provider’s website for a list of city codes in South Africa. For example, Cape Town’s city code is “21” and Johannesburg’s code is “11.” You can also google the location you're trying to call along with "area code" to find the correct number. For example, if you're calling someone in Pretoria, search "Pretoria + city code."

Dial the phone number you want to call. Type in the remaining digits of the phone number after the exit, country, and city codes. Verify that the number you’re dialing has 7 digits, which is the length of a phone number in South Africa. Before you press call, check that the final format of your number is exit code, country code, city code, and then the phone number. For example, a full number from the U.K. to somewhere in Cape Town would look like, "00-27-21-123-4567."

Using the Internet to Call South Africa

Connect to WiFi to avoid paying data fees. Before you make a call using the Internet, access a WiFi network so you aren’t using cellular data. When you’re making an international call, your service provider may charge you for call minutes, text messages, and even data usage. To avoid using data, turn it off in your phone’s settings. On an iPhone, for instance, go to Settings, then choose Cellular. Switch the toggle button next to “Cellular Data” off. Try a hotel, restaurant, library, or coffee shop if you’re looking for free WiFi.

Choose a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) program based on its features. Research different VoIP programs before you select one to use. Think about what specific features or capabilities you want it to have, like conference calling so you can have more than one person on the line or the ability to call landlines. Understand that the more advanced features a VoIP program has, the more expensive it will be. If you want a free program, you’ll likely have to settle for a more basic program. Some of the most common VoIP apps include Skype, Google Voice, and WhatsApp.

Download the VoIP app or software onto your device. Choose from one of the many VoIP providers, then install the software on your laptop. If you’re using a tablet or smartphone, download an app. If you’re calling a landline or calling someone without the VoIP service, there will likely be a charge. To avoid paying a fee, ask the person you're calling to download the same VoIP program as you.

Enter the phone number you’re trying to call and hit the dial button. Type in all of the digits of the phone number, including the area or city code. Check the instructions for your app or service to see if you need to add the country code or "+" at the beginning of the number, as well. Some will automatically insert that code if you select South Africa as the country you’re calling. Many apps can access your phone’s address book if you’re calling someone from your contact list.Tip: If your call isn’t going through, first check your Internet connection to make sure it’s working properly. Then, confirm that the person you’re calling is able to accept international phone calls or calls from an internet service.