A new safari lodge has been opened on a hill site in the southern part of the park. Lake Malawi National Park lies close to Monkey Bay, towards the southern extremity of the lake. Opened in 1980, it was the world's first freshwater national park and its setting and attractions are world-renowned. Tropical fish, which can be viewed with the use of scuba equipment and masks, are a speciality of the park, while further inland klipspringer, bushbuck and vervet monkeys may be seen. Access to the park is easy throughout the year.
Many visitors make day-trips from the hotels on the lakeshore south of Monkey Bay.
The park has the distinction of being the farthest point north where the rare Nyala antelope can be found. Also here is the diminutive Livingstone's Suni, one of the smallest of antelopes, as well as the rare Blue or Samango monkey. These and other game can be viewed from concealed hides. There is very limited accommodation but a day's visit from Blantyre is possible. Of the other wildlife reserves, the vast Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is little developed and lacks drivable tracks.