This interdisciplinary approach examines current trends and future prospects for livestock and wildlife co-existence in the semi-arid rangelands of eastern Africa. With increasing demographic pressure, agricultural expansion and finite land resources, it is concluded that pastoral livestock and plains game can and do co-exist sustainably, but only under special circumstances where livestock owners and local communities obtain tangible net benefits. As in many parts of the world, wildlife populations have declined and are concentrated in and around protected areas. Future research and development initiatives to promote livestock and wildlife co-existence as a sustainable livelihood option should, therefore, focus on neighbouring communities and the management of resources on adjoining lands.