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Jeep drivers demanding extra money for an official tracker at Minneriya

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N
Noah K.•2005 rep•2

We hired a jeep to see the elephant gathering at Minneriya. At the park gate, our driver demanded an extra 4000 LKR in cash, claiming it was a mandatory fee for the official wildlife tracker to sit in the jeep. Is this a scam.

19
wildlifebudget-traveltransportationsafety

3 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Yes, this is a common scam pulled by dishonest jeep drivers. Official Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) trackers do not charge a separate "mandatory cash fee" at the jeep window. Their service is included in your official park entrance ticket, which you buy directly from the DWC ticket counter. The driver was likely pocketing that 4000 LKR. Always insist on paying at the official counter yourself and receiving a printed receipt.

49
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Saman P.•1010 rep•1

The same exact thing happened to us in Udawalawe. They prey on the fact that tourists do not know the official park ticketing structure.

20
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Elara M.•2545 rep•2

I knew it! The guy he put in the passenger seat did not even wear a uniform or help us spot anything. He just played on his phone the whole time.

14
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Noah K.•2005 rep•2

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