The Banyambo tribe is settled in north and North West of Tanzania.
Tanzania's Banyambo ethnic group is descended from the Karagwe Kingdom. They are mostly found in the northwestern Kagera and Kigoma regions.
The origin of banyambo is not clear, but they are believed to have originated from Cameroon and Congo equatorial forests in the 16th century.
The Banyambo people of Karagwe in Kagera region of North western Tanzania are a subtribe of Banyakitara nation dominating the districts of Karagwe and Kyerwa in Kagera region of North western Tanzania.
Karagwe Kingdom (Ufalme wa Karagwe, in Swahili) was a historical Bantu state in present-day Karagwe District of Kagera Region in northwestern Tanzania, between Rwanda and Lake Victoria. East Africa's influential Karagwe Kingdom was ruled by a hereditary monarchs whom were reputed to be Bachwezi descendants. By the end of the 20th century, it had thriving trade with traders from all parts of East Africa, especially slave trading Arabs. Bweranyange served as the Karagwe kingdom's capital.
They speak Runyambo dialect similar to Ruhaya and Runyankore which are their neighbors.
They were traditionally pastoral in economy but currently have turned into agro pastoral and grow matooke, millet alongside cattle rearing of the Long horned Kitara cattle.
The Banyambo live off the land. The Haya people are thought to be separate from them. The economic orientation of the Haya toward fishing and agriculture and the Banyambo toward pastoralism are thought to be the reasons for this differentiation.
Banyambo trace origin from Bunyoro and the Great Kitara empire and share most of the cultures, customs and history with other Banyakitara people who live to their North and East.
Some Bakiga clans trace their origin from Banyambo having migrated from Bunyoro.
Karagwe is said to be origin of many Banyakitara clans and mainly Basiita, Bagahe trace origins in Karagwe especially those living in Buhaya, Kigezi and Nkore.
Banyambo are cousins to Bahima pastoralists and most of them trace their migrations from the North in current Bunyoro and Ankole areas as they were once involved in leadership of Kitara Empire.
Below are the major Banyambo clan: