Madagascar

Yes it's the title of a cartoon. Yes in the next James Bond there will be a plot involving the "Big Island". Yes it's in Africa, and yes it's a pretty long name for a country. But wait until they show you a bilingual dictionnary!So yes, we are in another third world nation made famous both by a Walt Disney blockbuster and severe rates of malnutrition, infant mortality and illeteracy.
We have embarked for a 5 months trip backpacking, the only way to really understand the complexity and diversity of foreign cultures and live with people at their pace(Theodore Monot was one of the oldest backpackers I know of). Mostly the idea is to trek every possible corner of Madagascar, meet people, learn the language, take pictures, do music, etc.
Security-wise the country is pretty safe. Compared to DRC or Tajikistan or Somalia this place is VERY quiet and people are super peaceful. I was told by a taxi driver this morning that some politicians here try to play the discord between the 18 ethnic groups present on the island. Despite the temptation to seize power the hardway like it is done in their neighbour african countries, Malagasy have managed to focus around a national identity rendering ethnic-based discourses useless... that in itself is amazing. Besides, you should be aware that mosquitoes are by far the biggest killers in Africa (which in a way makes of them our only untamed predators and puts us only second position on top of the food chain).
Anyway, I am positive the rest of our trip will teach us many more lessons about the place, the rituals, the music, the people and of course the beautiful wilderness (so poorly captured by Walt Disney studios).

Get more data from Madagascar Govt Website
If you want to learn more about Fighting Malaria in Africa
If you have doubts on Disney's ethics, read this one!