Rough Guides names Malawi & South Africa among the top countries to travel to in 2018

Rough Guides, a British travel guidebook and reference publisher, has named Malawi and South Africa among the 18 places that should be on a traveller's radar in 2018. While Malawi came in at number three in Rough Guides' "The Rough Guide to 2018", South Africa was ranked 14th. 

Rough Guides describes Malawi as follows:

Long known as "the warm heart of Africa" because of its friendly, welcoming people, Malawi is fast gaining a reputation as a fabulous safari destination too. Three of its reserves – Majete, Liwonde and Nkhotakota – are now run by conservation organisation African Parks which has been busy regenerating them and reintroducing wildlife.
Today, Majete is home to all of the Big Five (elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard), which roam its lush rolling hills and riverine landscapes.
In 2017, Liwonde also welcomed cheetah as new residents to its game-rich plains dominated by the beautiful Shire River snaking its way through the park. Lions will be joining them in 2018. And following the world's biggest ever translocation of elephants, wonderfully wild and rugged Nkhotakota became home to 500 elephants from Majete and Liwonde.
In each reserve, places to stay range from luxury lodges to community campsites: check in now before the crowds do. [src.]

Rough Guides describes South Africa as follows:

2018 marks the centenary of Nelson Mandela's birth – and though it’ll be marked with events around the world, nothing compares to celebrating Mandela's legacy in his beloved South Africa.
You can explore the landscape and culture of the Eastern Cape, which shaped Madiba’s childhood and later years; experience the vibrancy and political activism which drew him to Johannesburg throughout his adult life; and marvel at the contrast between Cape Town's desolate Robben Island, where he spent most of his 27-year incarceration, and the imposing Parliament building, where he spoke as President.
There will be events, tours and openings throughout South Africa to mark the centenary, plus all of the country’s usual jaw-dropping attractions. Go on safari in Kruger National Park, listen to jazz in Joburg, wander the wine routes of the Cape – and savour the diversity and freedom Mandela fought so hard to protect. [src.]

Rough Guides' The Rough Guide to 2018:

1. Newcastle, England
2. Civil Rights Trail, USA
3. Malawi
4. Valette, Malta
5. Wales
6. Cuba
7. Russia
8. New Orleans, USA
9. Chile
10. Sierra Leone
11. South Korea
12. Jordan
13. Tbilisi, Georgia
14. South Africa
15. Palermo, Italy
16. Togian Islands, Indonesia
17. Tunesia
18. Belize