Savana Residence is a self-catering student accommodation facility in Arcadia, Pretoria, at 599 Francis Baard Street (corner of Francis Baard and Leyds Streets). If you found this page while searching for accommodation in Port Elizabeth, the Eastern Cape, or anywhere outside Gauteng, this is a Pretoria property. It does not have branches in other cities. Worth knowing before you spend time researching it.
For students who are looking in Pretoria, Savana Residence is a well-known option, especially among students at TUT, the University of Pretoria (Tuks), UNISA, Tshwane North College (TNC), and Boston City Campus. It has been operating for long enough that it has a track record with NSFAS-funded students and a recognisable presence in the Arcadia student accommodation market.
What Savana Residence offers
Savana Residence is a self-catering hostel-style facility, which means it is not a purpose-built apartment complex and not a catered residence. It sits somewhere between: furnished rooms with shared facilities, designed specifically for students, but without the meal plan or hotel-style service you might get at a catered university residence.
Rooms. Single rooms and sharing rooms (typically two students per room). Rooms come fully furnished, and sharing rooms include en-suite private showers based on some listings, though you should confirm the specific room type available when you apply.
Kitchens. Communal kitchens for self-catering. You buy and cook your own food. There is no meal plan or catering service. The implication for your budget: self-catering tends to cost less per month than a catered residence, but only if you actually cook. If you default to takeout most days because you are tired after classes, the self-catering savings disappear quickly.
Wi-Fi. On-site Wi-Fi hotspot included.
Security. 24-hour security with biometric access control and CCTV. This is a meaningful security setup, not just a locked front door.
Other facilities. TV lounge, laundry machines, gym, and recreational facilities are listed by some directory sites for Savana Residence. Confirm which of these are currently available and in working condition when you contact the property, since directory listings are not always current.
Location. Arcadia is an established student area in Pretoria. Savana Residence is close to TUT Arcadia Campus, the University of Pretoria, UNISA, and several private colleges. It is also close to shopping centres and public transport routes, which matters for day-to-day errands and getting to campuses that are not within walking distance.
Which institutions Savana Residence serves
Savana Residence houses students from multiple institutions. Based on their own marketing and directory listings, these include:
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), specifically the Arcadia and Arts campuses
- University of Pretoria (UP/Tuks)
- UNISA
- Tshwane North College (TNC), Arcadia campus
- Tshwane South College (TSC), Centurion campus
- Boston City Campus
- Rosebank College
The residence is NSFAS-approved, but, and this applies to every provider, accreditation is confirmed per institution. If your specific institution is not on the list above, ask Savana Residence directly whether they are accredited for your college or university before assuming.
Self-catering: what it means for your monthly budget
Self-catering means your accommodation cost does not include food. You need to budget separately for groceries and cooking supplies. In Pretoria, a realistic monthly grocery budget for a student who cooks most meals is in the range of R1,500 to R2,500 depending on eating habits. Add that to your rent to get your actual monthly living cost.
The advantage of self-catering is flexibility. You eat what you want, when you want, and you are not locked into a meal plan that may not suit your schedule, dietary needs, or taste. The disadvantage is that it requires discipline: buying groceries, cooking, and cleaning up take time and energy that a catered residence handles for you.
For NSFAS-funded students, your living allowance (separate from your accommodation allowance) is meant to cover food and personal expenses. For university students in 2026, this is approximately R17,160 per year, paid monthly over 10 months. That works out to roughly R1,716 per month. Whether that covers your food costs depends on how you eat.
How Savana Residence compares to other Pretoria options
Pretoria has a large student accommodation market, with options ranging from large purpose-built providers like South Point (which operates multiple buildings near TUT and UP) to smaller independent residences like Savana.
South Point offers more standardised amenities, on-site management staff, and a larger organisational infrastructure. Savana Residence offers a smaller, more intimate setup with similar core features (furnished rooms, security, Wi-Fi) at a potentially lower price point.
The comparison depends on what you prioritise. If you want a large, branded provider with standardised services and multiple room types, South Point or a similar large operator may suit you better. If you want a smaller residence where you are one of fewer students and the management is more accessible, Savana Residence is worth considering.
How to apply and what to bring
Contact Savana Residence directly by phone (012 341 0821 or 064 549 1271) or email (savana@randed.co.za). You can also visit the property in person at 599 Francis Baard Street, Arcadia. If you are an NSFAS beneficiary, bring your NSFAS approval documentation and your institution registration confirmation.
You do not need to bring furniture, since rooms are fully furnished. You will need your own bedding (blankets, pillows, linen), kitchen supplies (pots, plates, cutlery), and personal toiletries. Confirm the exact list of what is provided in the room when you apply, as this can vary by room type.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Savana Residence NSFAS approved?
A: Yes, Savana Residence is NSFAS-approved and houses students from multiple institutions including TUT, UP, UNISA, and TNC. Confirm accreditation for your specific institution directly with the residence.
Q: Where is Savana Residence located?
A: 599 Francis Baard Street, corner of Francis Baard and Leyds Streets, Arcadia, Pretoria. It is not in Port Elizabeth or any other city.
Q: Is Savana Residence self-catering or catered?
A: Self-catering. You have access to communal kitchens and buy and prepare your own food. There is no meal plan.
Q: How much does Savana Residence cost?
A: Pricing starts from approximately R3,390 per month for sharing rooms, based on recent listings. Confirm current pricing directly with the residence, as rates may change annually.
Q: Which universities are near Savana Residence?
A: TUT (Arcadia and Arts campuses), University of Pretoria, UNISA, Tshwane North College, Tshwane South College, Boston City Campus, and Rosebank College are all accessible from the Arcadia location.
