Both cheetah and wild dogs have experienced major contractions in their geographic range within southern Africa, with resident populations known to remain in just 22.6% (cheetah) and 17% (wild dogs) of their historical range within the region. However, for about a quarter of the region (25% for cheetah and 23% for wild dogs) there are little reliable data available regarding the status and distribution of the two species. Despite this, southern Africa still supports globally important populations of both cheetah and wild dogs and remains the stronghold for both species within Africa. Nonetheless, populations are declining, due to a number of threats which include habitat loss and fragmentation, conflict with livestock and game farmers, loss of prey populations, unintentional snaring, road kills, small population sizes, infectious diseases (mainly wild dogs) and hunting for live trade and skins (mainly cheetah). The Regional Conservation Strategy developed here provides a framework to alleviate these threats and to ensure the survival of these two species in the region. Given wild dogs’ and cheetah’s similar ecological needs, it makes sense to plan their conservation together.