Only 45 days to go and the crew at South African Airways (800/722-9675) has been working hard as the airline gets ready to welcome the world to its homeland for the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer championship on June 11th. Soccer fanatics from North America will be pleased to hear that there is still space available on a number of flights during the tournament, with fares starting as low as $1,450 plus taxes and fuel surcharges. Even with a flight, your last chance to get a match ticket may be the lottery at FIFA. Events will be held at several different locations in South Africa between June 11 and July 11, 2010.

According to Sthu Zungu, President, South African Tourism North America, there will be official FIFA Fan Fests in each of the country's host cities. Generally located just a stone's throw away from the host stadium, this is where fans can enjoy live broadcasts -- free of charge -- in the company of thousands of like-minded supporters. In addition to these official FIFA fan parks, host cities will also offer public viewing facilities in selected locations, similar to the great job Vancouver did in hosting the Winter Olympics and making the live events, with that magic that comes from a sports-loving crowd, available to the public.

The country also has lots more to offer families, so if you're going, check out John Manton's report on Planning a South African Safari and Kathryn Kates' story about her Capetown, South Africa Adventure.

Tour operators Cartan Travel and Destination South Africa are selling the last of their land packages with tickets, accommodation and local transportation. According to Travel Weekly, Cartan has the most availability during the round of 16 and quarterfinal matches and is pricing their latest offers at about $2500 for coach airfare from the US on South Africa Airways, and $1,636 per person for a 5N, family-of-four stay in a two-bedroom suite in a Johannesburg hotel. However, this rate only includes two match tickets, so you'll have a big fight about who is going.

Follow-Your-Team Special Package

 Fans of specific teams who hope to get to each match will therefore require a great deal of transportation from stadium to stadium. With Roadtrips 14-D/ 13-N tour, guests will receive accommodations and breakfast at one of six chic hotels, package prices varying for each. Roundtrip day trips including airfare, airport and match transportation are also offered for any stadium not in the Johannesburg or Cape Town area.  Roadtrips also offers side excursions such as safaris and city and countryside tours for those with the funds to stick around and explore the continent.

All-inclusive itinerary packages for the World Cup start at $7,445 based on double occupancy. However, they are bundling tickets and land packages into smaller and cheaper segments so that more families can afford to go. There are, for example, 3 Day/2 Night and 4 Day/3 Night World Cup Getaways available. Complete packages from $1485 per adult.  For more information on this deal and other packages as well as making reservations, contact Roadtrips at 800/465-1765 or visit their Roadtrips Sports Tours website.

Fan-tastic FIFA World Cup Packages

Presenting a similar idea that rivals that of Roadtrips’ custom itineraries, the official tour operator, Emirates, is showing off its own packages, which include flights, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and match tickets. Fans will have the chance to follow their team throughout the worldwide event and have the assurance that packages will be fully refundable if their country’s team fails to qualify.  Emirates will offer soccer fans the choice of five daily flights -- to Johannesburg, which hosts 15 matches including the opening and final match; to Cape Town, host city of eight matches and to Durban, which is home to seven FIFA World Cup matches.

Distributed through the Great Atlantic Travel and Tour Company, 5-night packages at the Round of 16 stage of play including at least one match start at $4,638 per person based on double occupancy.  Airfare discounts apply to children under 12 years of age. For more information and reservation details, contact Great Atlantic Travel at 800/739- 6865 or visit the Emirates website.