How to visit the Pantanal (Brazil) without a multi-day tour?

So I've not been, but I've heard talk about it too. Having a read on Wikivoyage's article certainly seems like it's possible sans-tour.

Getting in:

There are daily flights from other Brazilian cities such as Campo Grande and Cuiabá to the gateway city of Corumbá, from where tours can be organised. It is possible to get into Pantanal from Bolivian side. You can take the train from the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz to Puerto Suarez, cross the border here and use taxi or bus to reach the city of Corumbá - from cities of Puerto Suarez and Puerto Qujarro there are no organised visits due to nature protection, politics or incapability of infrastructure.

Getting around:

From Campo Grande you can catch a bus to go into the Pantanal. Depending on where you plan to go it may take between 4 to 5 hours to get into the Pantanal. In the bus station in Campo Grande catch the bus to Corumba. A good place to get of is Buraco das Piranhas.

Now I'm unsure how much solo-travel you've done, but often it's way easier to find information once you're there, and it becomes much easier. It's important to realise that if people live in the area, then there is always a way to get around that doesn't require a tour.

On the ground, make sure to speak to every traveller you meet coming the other way, and speak to locals. Ask about road conditions, buses they recommend, and more.

Once there, it depends what you want to see. If it's wildlife, as per the article, you're pretty much guaranteed to see it. If it's certain locations, then you'll have to ask people about how to get there. Ask a local to take you. Get to know tour companies and ask if there's a cheap way - often they'll recommend it - after all, if they love their job, it's because they want people to see it, not just make money - so if you can't take their tour they may suggest alternative options.

Good luck, and any info you do find, you can add as an answer when you get back :)

I suspect you've already been on your trip and, if so, had a great time. I've done the trip a few times before and its probably my favourite place for wildlife. You can see lots of animals and sights without a guide - travelling along the transpantaneira in a rental car, for example. Pantanal Lodges are still worthwhile since they'll have access to some places you can't readily access yourself - plus some will have boats for exploring life along the rivers and waterways. The key thing is knowing where and when to go.

Most guidebooks only have limited information about the Pantanal. The Pantanal Escapes website www.pantanalescapes.com has a lot of useful info not published elsewhere - and is basically just an online guidebook (not hawking tours). There are a few great festivals to take in such the Carnaval in Corumbá (feb-mar), Cavalhada in Poconé (June), and Festança in Vila Bela (July). Vila Bela, near the Guaporé river, is also the only place in the region to see pink Amazon river dolphins. Travelling around in a hire car or via Brazil's extensive bus network is the best way to take it all in.

I hope that helps.