Protected areas and their surrounding landscapes are becoming increasingly integrated. A more general awareness is emerging of the relevance of these integrated areas to nature conservation and to human well-being. In Namibia, areas dedicated to conservation are expanding due to the proliferation of conservancies and game reserves. This entails integrating land use practices variably dedicated to wildlife management and the inclusion of resident communities in the protected area decision-making process. The interface between natural and social systems in protected area governance is poorly understood, however. In applying a social-ecological systems framework to the understanding of rangelands surrounding the Etosha National Park (ENP) in Namibia, I try to better understand this interface. I first explored the factors that have contributed to community conservation success in the country. Keywords: Ecosystem services, institutions, multifunctional rangelands, protected area network, stakeholders.