If you like to be in control of your holiday plans, then a 4×4 self-drive safari in southern Africa may just be a match made in heaven. From Chobe National Park, to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, to the deserts of Namibia, a self-drive safari gives you the opportunity to follow your heart across all manner of terrain — at your own pace. And hiring a vehicle equipped with everything you need is easier than you think.

If you’re seeking a true African safari experience, here are 5 reasons why a 4×4 self-drive safari in southern Africa should be on your travel bucket list.