Early planning stage of future trip to Africa (2021 or 2022)

[Lisa0825]

Hello all!

I am saving up for a trip to Africa and hoping to see Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda and as many of the Big 5 as possible.

There are SO MANY tour group companies out there! Anyone have any experience to share with any?

Has anyone planned their own trip without a tour company?

I am not good at "roughing it," so I would like to go with comfortable to borderline luxury options. I understand that accommodation levels are quite varied from country to country. I won't be that ugly American who doesn't appreciate the richness of the culture and environment because my eggs weren't cooked properly. I just have issues with sleeping well while traveling (back problems, for one thing) so I'm OK with paying more for a higher level of comfort. I have to save up for this trip, so I will budget as necessary.

I have read that a gorilla trek permit runs $1500, but I didn't see info on whether you get multiple days to attempt to find gorillas if you buy the permit yourself, whereas some tour companies do promise that, so that is one reason I am unsure about trying to plan the trip myself.

Any advice would be much appreciated