Localized in the Southeast of Nosy Be island , Lokobe Integral National Reserve constitutes the only original forest area that subsists in Nosy Be. It is situated on quaternary eruptive rocks having the form of well preserve volcanic elements. The relief is constituted of low altitude hills (highest point at 430m) running nevertheless brutally into the sea in the South and West part of the reserve. There are two important historical sites near the reserve. The first one is the site of Marodokany , ancient Indian merchants village who settled ther in the XVIII` century. They carried out their activities in the forest exploitation and in the marketing of the beeswax , the honey and the "copal" (resin of the "copalier" Trachylobium verrucosum-Leguminosae). This village and its cemetery are abandonned since 1900. The second site is constituted by the cave that shelters the tomb of a Sakalava king of the Boina situated in the forest of Besahonjo.

The climate is humid tropical type with an average annual pluviometry of 2250mm, with a maximum of precipitation during January and February. The dry season from June to August is well enough marked. The average annual temperature is 26°C (minimum 15°C and maximum 34,8°C)

The forest type is similar to that of the Manongarivo special reserve (Domain of the Sambirano). Some parts of the reserve have been exploited during the XIX century and this until 1934. The forest has nevertheless asserted its rights and the average height of the canopy is of around 30m.
The arborescent stratum is dominated by the Canarium Madagascariense – Burseraceae the most beautiful specimens of which reach 35m high and 115cm of diameter.
The Potameia crassifolia –Lauraceae reach up to 40m high .

Considering apart the very rich herptofauna (30 species) , the fauna in general is poor enough . Only 4 species of mammals have been counted among which two common primate species, the Lemur Macaco and the Lepilemur dorsalis. Up to 1945 the existence of the Lemur Mongoz has been mentionned , but it seems that it has disappered since then . The Reserve counts 17 birds species as the Malagasy kingfisher (Ispidina madagascariensis) and the Owl of Madagascar (Asio Madagascariensis).