There is growing evidence from around the globe about the crucial role of predators in ecosystem functioning at many trophic levels. Due to the expansion of anthropogenic activities, these species are becoming increasingly dependent on protected areas for their persistence. As carnivores move beyond protected area boundaries, they often interfere with human interests, frequently resulting in conflict and persecution. The Greater Etosha Landscape (GEL) in north-central Namibia exemplifies global conservation challenges. The GEL comprises one of the world's most renowned protected areas, the Etosha National Park, which is surrounded by a diverse matrix of land tenures and land uses, which translate into different management approaches and predator tolerances. While large carnivore research has a long history in the Etosha landscape, changing land use and climatic conditions require a new detailed understanding of the drivers of carnivore fitness and persistence. In close partnership, the Etosha Ecological Institute, as part of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and the Ongava Research Centre have developed the long-term and large-scale Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme involving national and international collaborators. This collaborative programme aims to identify, understand and quantify the drivers of carnivore distribution and abundance in the GEL. Here, we provide general information about our programme's aim and partners, and this serves as an introduction to the more in-depth presentations on specific research and conservation projects falling under its umbrella.