We got to see the falls from both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides at Victoria Falls in October 2023 as part of our big Africa tour.
Overview
We visited during one of the driest seasons, and even so, the Zimbabwe side was more than lively. According to our guide, when the water flow is at its peak, it's literally impossible to look at the falls, you get absolutely drenched. From that perspective, visiting during low water has its own charm. We explored comfortably and got to see what lies beneath the sections where water wasn't flowing. The valleys created beautiful vistas.
The falls are named after the English queen. The nearest city on the Zambia side is called Livingstone, the surname of the man who "discovered" it. Colonial influences still linger.
The surroundings are generally savanna-like, arid terrain. Having such a waterfall while everything around is barren is quite surprising.
What to See
While walking through the park surrounding the falls, you can spot monkeys and warthogs. The trees inside the park are incredibly impressive too. While the outside is completely arid, the park being so green with such fantastical trees is a literal demonstration of the power of water.
The Zambia side didn't seem to have much going on during the dry season, but I personally loved seeing those volcanic rocks and the valley backdrop. Since you'll have plenty of time anyway, just going over for a quick look is a worthwhile activity.
If you want to sit somewhere with a waterfall view and just spend hours taking it in, I highly recommend The Lookout Cafe. Wonderful atmosphere, you could sit there for hours.
Tips & Advice
I recommend buying plenty of souvenirs to help the local community. They're very cheap, high quality, and the people genuinely need the support. If you have luggage allowance, consider bringing an empty suitcase and filling it with handicrafts. Items that cost 10x more in Turkey are available here at a fraction of the price.
Also consider bringing extra socks, you can trade them with souvenir vendors. A couple of people told me they really liked my socks and offered to trade them for any souvenir I wanted. That's the level of scarcity here, unfortunately.