Khartoum Shopping Tips by uglyscot Top 5 Page for this destination

stalls by the roadside: Fruit

When shopping for fruit the choice is either the main market or from stalls along the road.
In Amarat beside the cemetery are a line of stalls selling fruit and vegetables. Walk along and compare prices before buying so that you get a feel for the price.
The fruit is usually clean and well displayed.

What to buy: Most fruit is available nowadays- in season - and there can be found some imported fruit like apples , pears, plums, strawberries, kiwi fruit, custard apple, tangerines and grapes.
Water melons or honeydew melons are refreshing in the heat. Mangoes can be found of different varieties and are out of this world, unless you get the small local variety that can be stringy and fibrous. Pink grapefruit makes a wonderful drink, as do guavas.
Local oranges , limes and bananas are available, and ,of course, dates.

What to pay: Prices vary , but imported fruit will naturally be more expensive than the local produce. Smaller stalls away from the throng may give better bargains.

Address: Cemetery Road ,Amarat

Directions: Amarat or the main market at the end of Sahafa [Suq el Merkhazi] or stalls along the Wad medani road

Theme: Food and Drink

various: Local shops

Most shops in Sudan, especially in locally populated areas are very small, with goods displayed as much on the pavement as inside the shops. So, travelling away from the centre of town to the new suburbs like Salama, many varied shops catch your eye.
In Salama district, a new 3rd class suburb south west of Khartoum, I snapped just a sample of shops that could be seen.

What to buy: foodstuff, spices, building materials, anything!

What to pay: prices are usually fixed but some bargaining can be attempted.

Theme: Other

Afra: The first shopping mall in Sudan

AFRA is the first Mall in Khartoum It is near the Green Park to the southern edge of Khartoum [Erkowit] It was build by a Turkish company. . There is a bowling alley and cinema as well as shops and cafes.
It does not have the appeal of the Malls in the Gulf or in Europe, but it is still very convenient to find most of your needs under one roof, especially the Afra section itself.
Many of the brands are Turkish but a certain amount of international brands can be found too.
It is very expensive for Sudanese. but reasonable for those on a hard currency based income.

What to buy: All the usual things , and commodities that are not readily available in the local market. Vegetables that are not commonly used in Sudan can be bought here. I usually buy a quantity of broccoli when it is available and freeze the florets. cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce can also be found when out of season locally, and fresh herbs.
Imported fruit is another reliable purchase, and it has a good bakery and meat section.

Household goods, gardening equipment , cosmetics, toiletries and clothing are also to be found.
Outside the main section are Exchange booths, mobile phone companies, fancier boutiques and other small shops.

What to pay: A lot, but not too much more than ordinary shops.

Address: Off Africa Road

Directions: After the Green Park and before the new Rotana Hotel on Africa Road, turn left into Erkowit.
At present , May 2007, there are diversions as work to make a tunnel .

Theme: Other

Suq el Merkhazi: The general market

Once upon a time the Vegetable Market was in the centre of Khartoum and called Suq el Arabi, but the whole area was demolished, and the vegetable market was moved to the southern outskirts of town, and renamed Suq el Merkhazi. There are stores for fruit and vegetables, and butchers have meat hanging up. But alongside the wholesale market, smaller salesmen have their goods spread out on the ground, and prices are much lower than in greengrocer shops in town. Many families buy their fruit and vegetables once a week at a considerable saving. I find the area fascinating as people of different ethnic groups congregate and the whole scene can be very colourful. Boys push wheelbarrows laden with sacks, or piled up with vegetables. Pickup trucks unload trays of eggs. There is so much to see.

What to buy: Pink grapefruit is delicious , but so are most fruit. We always buy oranges in bulk [recently I got 50 for 12,000 SD.

What to pay: much less than the prices asked in town A kilo of bananas from a wayside salesman in town may ask 3000 SD, whereas at the market you should not pay half that.

Address: at the end of Sahafa off the Wad Medani road.

Directions: follow the main road south, and before the Africa University turn to the right. Mini buses are parked beside the road. Go in a but further.
To get there a minibus fare is 1000Sd from town.

Theme: Food and Drink