When you think about nightlife in South Sudan, you’re not exactly spoiled for choice. It’s not Bangkok or even Nairobi. But in Juba, where expats and locals alike are looking for a bit of downtime, Afex is one of the better-known spots to kick back with a cocktail and pretend you’re somewhere a bit less chaotic.
The Vibe at Afex
Located within the Afex Camp near the Nile, this place serves as a watering hole for NGO workers, contractors, and the occasional adventurous tourist. It’s not fancy, but it’s got a kind of rustic charm that fits right in with the whole “middle of nowhere” vibe of Juba.
The crowd here is a mix of folks who’ve been in South Sudan far too long and those who just arrived, all looking for a bit of familiarity in the madness. And all in all this makes it probably one of the best places to kick back in Juba, at least according to The Street Food Guy!
What’s on the Menu?
Let’s talk drinks. Cocktails here start at about $7 for a Dark and Stormy, which feels pretty apt given the setting. If you’re feeling fancy, you can splurge on a “Sleep in the Ditch” cocktail, which will set you back a cool $16. The food isn’t bad either, with steaks running you about $20. It’s decent enough, but you’re definitely paying more for the privilege of eating somewhere semi-normal than the quality of the meal itself.
They’ve got the usual suspects too—burgers, pizzas, and grilled meats, all priced like you’re in a Western city rather than South Sudan, but such is life. There is also a fair bit of lick scran too with me personally going for some River Nile perch, while Tilapia was also on the menu.
The Sleeping In A Ditch Cocktail at AFEX
Sixteen dollars for a cocktail called Sleeping In A Ditch? You’d clearly have to be a crazy alcoholic to try this, so try it I did! Now I am no stranger to such cocktails as the tales of Long Island Iced Tea in Beirut show, but this baby is special! So, what is in a Sleeping in a Ditch cocktail? Jack Daniels, Smirnoff, Gibleys Gin, Tequila, Bacardi, Cointreau, HEINEKEN, GUINNESS, and Johnny Walker Black Label.
And how did the Sleeping In A Ditch cocktail taste? Well look at the ingredients it tasted just as bad as it sounds! And this is to no detriment to the fine people of Afex, I ordered a super strength Devils Candy of a drink and that is exactly what I got. As you might imagine I only had one of these.
Other Services
Afex isn’t just about overpriced cocktails. They offer accommodation that’s decent by Juba standards, which means you’re looking at basic rooms with mosquito nets and working air conditioning if you’re lucky.
They’ve also got boat tours on the Nile, which is worth doing if you need a break from the dust and chaos of the city, although they are not cheap. They are though decent with us taking our group out for the afternoon.
Getting There
Afex Camp is located along the Nile in Juba. It’s not exactly hard to find since everyone and their mother knows where it is. Whether you’re coming from the airport or another part of the city, just grab a boda boda or hire a taxi—assuming you can find one that isn’t falling apart.
AFEX Rivercamp is located at Stadium Road, Off Cemetery Road, Juba, South Sudan.
Final Thoughts
Afex isn’t Juba’s only nightlife option, but it’s one of the better ones. This means that if you spend any sort of time in this city you will most likely end up here, and that is no bad thing at all!
Overall the food here is decent the staff are extremely attentive, the views are and hell you can head to Pyramid Club after if you need more a fruity night out.
Click to read about my South Sudan Tours with YPT.