5 quotes that sum up why you need to go to Africa

You could watch a few videos, look at some pictures or even read a book or two that contain hundreds of reasons why you should explore the sunny plains, sprawling deserts or lush jungles of Africa. From the sandy ruins of ancient Egypt to the thriving city life in Cape Town, Africa is too ripe for adventure to forego a trip.

If you need any more proof of this, look no further. Here are 5 quotes that perfectly describe why a vacation to Africa is something you have to do.

"I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy." - Ernest Hemingway
Three of the famous author's most acclaimed works were inspired by a three month safari he took in Africa. Hemingway published "The Green Hills of Africa," "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" and "True at First Light" about his experiences during the journey. While there are hundreds of quotes that poignantly express the true beauty of the continent, none speak volumes like this simple sentence.

There's nothing quite like a sunrise in Africa.

"The gladdest moment in human life, methinks, is a departure into unknown lands. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood." - Sir Richard Francis Burton
Burton was an English explorer and poet most famous, perhaps, for his dangerous adventures across Africa and his pithy and musings about the experience. His writing captivated hopeful explorers over 100 years ago, and the words still speak to people today.

"See you soon, land of beauty and madness." - Jamie Sparks
You don't have to look decades into the past to get a taste for adventure today, though. Take it from Jamie Sparks, a man who holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to ever row across the Atlantic Ocean, according to BBC News. After such a journey, it's safe to say Sparks knows a great deal about natural beauty and a little about madness, too. The self-described "scruffy looking adventurer" has made a name for himself traveling the world, and he recently summed up his thoughts about the great continent of Africa in a message from his Twitter account.

"Check out this cute camel that I got to ride at the #Pyramids!! He was adorable." - Angela Nelson
Say what you want about eloquence - sometimes the best quotes speak to the things people want to do most in life. For many people, a camelback ride around the pyramids of Egypt is a big bucket list item, and travel photographer Angela Nelson got to cross that task off early. She tweeted about her adventure on a camel in Cairo recently.

"The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa - for he has so much to look forward to." - Richard Mullin
Richard Mullin sums it all up with this one. There really is no way to describe the majesty of an adventure through Africa other than experiencing it yourself. The end of that first-time experience is bittersweet because you may not relive a similar event ever again.

Don't stop with an African safari tour. Exotic locations have inspired the works of writers and poets around the world, and you may find the words to tell your story after a trip of your own - whether the destination is South Safari Africa, Asia or beyond.