Community perceptions of protected areas and tourism are increasingly viewed as an important determinant of the success of conservation in southern Africa. Consequently, the literature on community perceptions has burgeoned. This chapter establishes a consolidated theoretical framework for understanding community perceptions of protected areas and tourism. Ostrom’s social-ecological system is identified as the best framework to guide research in this area. In this framework, people consider the whole system in forming perceptions, and this in turn influences their attitudes and behaviour in their interaction with natural resources. The chapter then synthesises empirical results on the determinants of community perceptions of protected areas and tourism. The important determinants are classified into five categories, namely, socio-economic attributes, benefits from conservation, costs incurred as a result of living with wildlife, institutional variables and ecological characteristics. Finally, the chapter suggests policy options to improve communities’ perceptions for successful protected areas and tourism initiatives.